Active Directory across different physical locations

[janus zeal]

I need to set up a domain for 4 different offices in 4 different locations. I've never had to do this before. How is it done?

There will be 4 domain controllers (unless there doesn't need to be, it's a low traffic network).

I have to do this tomorrow morning. Google isn't really helping.

-edit:

I may not need one domain to cover 4 locations, I could just set up 4 smaller domains, and give the people that need it remote desktop to the domain controllers for file access, etc.

I wonder how well active directory would work over hamachi? <-- dumb question

Edited February 17, 2009 by janus zeal

[cluberti]

Question - what OS level are you speaking of? Windows 2008 has Read-Only domain controllers for this scenario, but in 2003 if replication will be an issue (assuming slower or costly links) having a main domain (with a DC) at the main office and then child domains is somewhat preferable. You can have a single domain with multiple sites, but if the route links are expensive it does create some issues. If the links are relatively fast (256K or higher) and reliable, a single domain with multiple sites might make more sense.

[janus zeal]

We're using Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP clients. All of the offices have at least 10mbit up and down.

My issue is that I don't know how to set up a domain that works outside of a single lan.

[cluberti]

Just do some research on Active Directory "Sites". It's quite simple, actually, once you know how that works.

[janus zeal]

I believe i've got it. I am going to set up some VMs later to test.

Thanks~