You can raise the functional level to Windows Server 2008 when all domain controllers in the domain or forest are running Windows Server 2008. You can use Windows Server 2008 AD DS to introduce advanced features into your environment by raising the domain or forest functional level. The following illustration shows the process of domain controller capacity planning.Įnabling Windows Server 2008 advanced AD DS features Careful capacity planning for your domain controllers ensures that you do not underestimate hardware requirements, which can cause poor domain controller performance and application response time. To ensure efficient AD DS performance, you must determine the appropriate number of domain controllers for each site and verify that they meet the hardware requirements for Windows Server 2008. The following illustration shows the site topology design process.įor more information, see Designing the Site Topology for Windows Server 2008 AD DS. It contains information about the location of AD DS sites, the AD DS domain controllers within each site, and the site links and site link bridges that support AD DS replication between sites. The site topology is a logical representation of your physical network. Designing the site topologyĪfter you design the logical structure for your AD DS infrastructure, you must design the site topology for your network. The following illustration shows the process for designing the logical structure.įor more information, see Designing the Logical Structure for Windows Server 2008 AD DS. To design the AD DS logical structure, determine the number of forests that your organization requires, and then create designs for domains, Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure, and organizational units (OUs). When you design your AD DS logical structure, you define a significant part of the network infrastructure of your organization.

The AD DS logical structure determines how your directory objects are organized, and it provides an effective method for managing your network accounts and shared resources. Applies to: Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012 Designing the Active Directory logical structureīefore you deploy Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), you must plan for and design the AD DS logical structure for your environment.

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