Active Directory and file storage management for business operations.
Active Directory and file storage management for business operations.
Hello everyone, I'm working on understanding Active Directory to set up a secure environment at my workplace. Right now, we all use local administrator accounts, which I think poses some security concerns. My goal is to deploy two servers that work together to handle staff logins and other tasks efficiently. I'm curious about folder redirection—how it functions when one server goes offline. I've tried DFS but it hasn't worked properly for me. Additionally, I plan to create a shared storage location accessible from both servers, so if one fails, the data remains safe. We'll also implement RAID for drive protection and aim to use both servers actively instead of leaving one idle. Could you clarify the steps involved?
Using DFS allows configuring either synchronized replication between two servers or I opt for failover clustering. The choice depends on your storage location and ensuring proper permission settings.
I think it’s better to choose Azure AD instead of a local AD. DFS replication should handle this, as I’ve set it up before. DFS namespaces and replication will fit here. But I’d suggest going with M365 and SharePoint if possible. How many users are you working with?
Failover clustering proves useful with SAN storage, but I believe replication might be more effective for smaller setups. The straightforward method is to generate your DFS shares on server 1, assigning all necessary permissions. Then configure server 2 in the same way and include the target folder. DFS will ask whether you wish to turn on replication.
I don't mind storing data in the cloud—it's likely safer and more dependable than keeping it locally. Someone familiar with Active Directory should handle the setup for you; you need this configuration precisely. What are you asking about? I'll run Hyper-V and manage everything on virtual machines. Keep the domain controllers limited to their core role, nothing extra.
It seems expense will play a major role. Their current setup indicates they’re not investing heavily in IT infrastructure.
That aligns well. It would be wise to enlist assistance if your AD knowledge is limited. I recommend testing this in a lab first—DFS can handle it here and usually performs effectively. Don’t forget to have a solid backup strategy in place. Setting up some GPO or learning how to automate things like booting network drives would also be beneficial.