How to Add Additional Domain Controller in Server

Introduction

In this article, I’m going to show you how to add additional domain controllers on a server in the proper method and easiest way.

What is an additional domain controller?

In a network environment using Microsoft Active Directory (AD), an additional domain controller is a server that replicates and maintains a copy of the directory database, just like the primary domain controller (PDC). This means it holds the same information about users, computers, groups, and other resources within the domain.

Additional domain controllers

Adding additional domain controllers offers several paybacks.

• Redundancy and Availability: If the PDC fails, an additional domain controller can take over and ensure continued access to resources and authentication for users. This redundancy helps prevent downtime and ensures business continuity.
• Improved Performance: By distributing the load of authentication requests and replication across multiple servers, additional domain controllers can improve overall network performance, especially in large domains with many users and devices.
• Geographical Distribution: If your network spans multiple locations, having domain controllers in each location can reduce latency for users logging in and accessing resources. This can be particularly beneficial for geographically dispersed organizations.
• Scalability: As your network grows, you can easily add more domain controllers to accommodate the increased demand for the directory service. This helps ensure continued performance and reliability.
• Fault Tolerance: Even if one additional domain controller fails, the others can continue functioning, further enhancing the overall resilience of your network.

Note. You need to prepare two servers in the same network here I chose two servers on HyperV, server one with full configuration such as an ADDS, and DHCP.

Step 1. On your server, two install adds don’t configure if you want to know how to do that installing part you can read my previous article https://www.c-sharpcorner.com/article/how-to-create-active-directory-domain-services

Step 2. After installation click "Promote this server to a domain controller".

Step 3. Select "Add a domain controller to an existing domain" after typing your server’s domain name and click "Select".

Step 4. Give your server one’s user name password after clicking "ok".

Step 5. Select your domain and click "ok".

Step 6. Click change and give your domain name with the server one’s username and password after clicking "next".

Step 7. Give your DSRM password and after click "next".

Step 8. Click "next".

Step 9. Select your server one’s name then click "next".

Step 10. Click "next".

Step 11. Again "next".

Step 12. Click "install".

Step 13. Now your server two with domain name our additional domain controller works properly.

Conclusion

In this article, we all clearly understand how to add additional domain controllers on the server in the proper method and easiest way. If there is clarification regarding this topic, feel free to contact me.