I am working at two branch offices and have been tasked with where to place Active-Directory Integrated DNS Servers and what type to use.
One of the branch offices is very small (5 users) and has very slow network connectivity. Do I need a DNS Server and, if so, which type of zone should it host?
The second branch office is much larger (about 30 users) and has better network connectivity. Does this office need a DNS Server and, if so, what type of zone would you recommend?
Thank you,
Junior Admin
Good afternoon Junior Admin,
You want to make sure that you are using your resources wisely. So in all actuality you want to use a stub directory for the office containing (5) computers. So the first question I should ask you, are you using a private WAN? Using Server create a stub zone. Your Stub zone is a copy of a zone, but the good thing is that it will only use necessary resources or records for that specific zone. This will allow the network to breathe easy so to speak. Another to think about is that this will cancel out in naming issues between the two offices.
The office with the (30 users) needs a larger, faster and more reliable network. You would want to the integrated Active directory. So in all it creates or configures a different topology but will allow accessibility for zone transfers and copies for deployments in the future along with added security. So in simple terms the two zones are created for stationary and heavy usage, but the directories has to be in communication with each other just in case the company expands.