Joshua ONeill

NT 1330
Client-Server Networking II
10/22/14
1. Is there a one to one relationship between the server roles and the number of servers
that house them?
2. How many DCs are in your domain?
3. What servers/server are global catalog servers?
4. How many computers will be hosting the FSMO roles?
5. Will the roles be on one DC or multiple?
The Schema Master and Domain Naming Master should reside on the same
server, and that machine should be a Global Catalog server. Since all three are, by
default, on the first domain controller installed in a forest, then you can leave them as
they are. The Infrastructure Master should not be on the same server that acts as a
Global Catalog server. The reason for this is the Global Catalog contains information
about every object in the forest. When the Infrastructure Master, which is responsible for
updating Active Directory information about cross domain object changes, needs
information about objects not in its domain, it contacts the Global Catalog server for this
information. If they both reside on the same server, then the Infrastructure Master will
never think there are changes to objects that reside in other domains because the
Global Catalog will keep it constantly updated. This would result in the Infrastructure
Master never replicating changes to other domain controllers in its domain. I also
recommend that the PDC Emulator and RID Master be on the same server. This is not
mandatory like the Infrastructure Master and the Global Catalog server above, but is

Joshua ONeill
NT 1330
Client-Server Networking II
10/22/14
recommended. Also, since the PDC Emulator will receive more traffic than any other
FSMO role holder, it should be on a server that can handle the load. It is also
recommended that all FSMO role holders be direct replication partners and they have
high bandwidth connections to one another as well as a Global Catalog server.