2 windows 2003 DC hang problem

[Guest Jose Alves]

Hello.

I´ve two windows 2003 std DC. This two DC are DNS servers of the lan.

One of the servers has Exchange 2003.

 

At 5 days ago i´ve done an upgrade to 4 GB (maximum supported by windows

2003 std) to the server with Exchange 2003, and since that the server hangs,

and do not generate any error in event viewer. The system freeze.

All the client computers are Windows XP Professional, and are configured by

DHCP and know the 2 DNS.

 

When the server with Exchange 2003 goes down, i´ve problems with users

authentication (logon).

 

I think the other server should kepp users authentications and computers

working ok in the lan, but when users try to logon, the request fails !

I´ve checked the AD and DNS replication and no problems were found.

 

Why the other server does not respond to the client logon request?

The problem of "system freeze" can be related with the quantitiy of 4 Gb of

memory (i,ve already changed the DIMMS)?

I´ve done hardware diagnostic with HP smartstart CD, but no problems wer

found..

 

Please, someone, help.

Thanks in advance.

[Guest Ace Fekay [MVP]]

Re: 2 windows 2003 DC hang problem

 

In news:8B3428D5-C653-4BE7-B8FF-198C414EF0B9@microsoft.com,

Jose Alves <JoseAlves@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:

> Hello.

> I´ve two windows 2003 std DC. This two DC are DNS servers of the lan.

> One of the servers has Exchange 2003.

>

> At 5 days ago i´ve done an upgrade to 4 GB (maximum supported by

> windows 2003 std) to the server with Exchange 2003, and since that

> the server hangs, and do not generate any error in event viewer. The

> system freeze.

> All the client computers are Windows XP Professional, and are

> configured by DHCP and know the 2 DNS.

>

> When the server with Exchange 2003 goes down, i´ve problems with

> users authentication (logon).

>

> I think the other server should kepp users authentications and

> computers working ok in the lan, but when users try to logon, the

> request fails ! I´ve checked the AD and DNS replication and no

> problems were found.

>

> Why the other server does not respond to the client logon request?

> The problem of "system freeze" can be related with the quantitiy of 4

> Gb of memory (i,ve already changed the DIMMS)?

> I´ve done hardware diagnostic with HP smartstart CD, but no problems

> wer found..

>

> Please, someone, help.

> Thanks in advance.

 

How much RAM was previously installed? For 4GB, you will want to use the

/3GB and /USERVA=3030 switch in the boot.ini file. But then again, it may

not be recommended if Exchange is on a DC or it eats up resources.

 

Also, run the Exchange Best Practice Analyzer (ExBPA). It will report any

errors on the Exchange side of things, AD-Exchange related issues, as well

as memory registry recommendations, among others:

 

Download details: Exchange Best Practices AnalyzerFile Name: ExBPA.msi.

Version: 1. Date Published: 6/6/2007. Language: English. Download Size: 6.8

MB. Estimated Download Time: 17 min 56K ...

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=dbab201f-4bee-4943-ac22-e2ddbd258df3

 

Also, just an FYI, Exchange is not recommended on a DC. Plus, Exchange

performs better with write-cache enabled on the drive. Unfortunately a DC by

default, disables write-cache on the drive the AD database is on. This is a

feature to prevent AD database corruption, and especially because the FRS

(an AD service), does not recover during a hard stop (power outages,

unplugged, etc). Also, there is no way to enable it on that drive on a DC.

Just some food for thought:

 

Slow Network Performance After You Promote a Windows 2000-Based Server

to a Domain Controller (also applies to Win 2003):

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321543

 

Considerations when hosting Active Directory domain controller in

virtual hosting environments

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888794

 

Exchange on a DC:

http://hellomate.typepad.com/exchange/2004/02/exchange_on_a_d.html

 

Exchange Disk Sizing (search for write-cache in the article):

http://blogs.technet.com/evand/archive/2004/10/14/242127.aspx

 

 

 

Anyway, getting back to the issue at hand, if you are still having

problems after running the ExBPA, and implementing it's recommendations,

then I would look at the RAM. Even though tests say it's fine, it may still

be bad RAM. I've seen this before.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

 

--

Regards,

Ace

 

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and

confers no rights.

 

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT,

MVP Microsoft MVP - Directory Services

Microsoft Certified Trainer

 

For urgent issues, you may want to contact Microsoft PSS directly.

Please

check http://support.microsoft.com for regional support phone numbers.

 

Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations