Active Directory Implementation

Question

I am planning to implement active directory on Windows Server 2003. Right now there is no AD setup in the network. We have about 80 users in this location and 300 other users across various locations.

Have few questions here:

1. Should I assign local IP or should I go for static IP right away (DNS)?
2. Which tool/strategy should I use to create existing users in AD?
3. If I use local IP and decentralize AD across locations will I be able to integrate at a later time?

Thanks

Answer 1

It's probably best to use a local, static IP address for an AD/DNS server.

If the other 300 users are in various locations you need an AD design that accounts for the network topology and latency between networks.

Microsoft's Technet documentation can get you started in AD design.

Answer 2

You will need a VPN (or WAN link) between these sites to do replication. I would not do AD Repl directly over the Internet.

Not sure what you mean by static IP - as in like static IP from the ISP? These should be internal IPs. Use a VPN or private WAN for inter site communication.