Goal: Setup AD and activate replication Status: I currently am trying to do this via a home network using a linksys G router. I've installed the first AD (1). I don't know if I configured the DNS properly. I pretty much went into the router configuration to reserve 2 static DNS addresses. I used one of the static DNS addresses and configured by going to LAN connection and setting it to for example. Static IP: 192.145.15.109 subnet: 255.255.255.0 default gateway: 192.145.1.1 DNS server Address: 192.145.15.109 (?) Did I configure the static IP address for the AD correctly. I install the second AD (2) successfully. Ran DCPROMO and added it as a child to AD (1). But when it cannot connect my domain setup in AD (1)? I can see the domain I had setup in AD (1) if I go to my Network Place. Any help would be great. Thanks.

When creating a domain you want to let Windows configure your DNS during the promotion process (when you run dcpromo). You want your statically assigned IP information set before promoting. Your DNS address should point at your DC/DNS server. When you're done, forward the DNS on your DC to your ISP's DNS servers to provide DNS resolution outside the local zone (ie: the web).

Curt R, Thank you for your reply. So I guess my IP configuration is current since I am setting the static IP address and DNS address as 192.145.15.109? As for forwarding my DNS from my DC to my ISP DNS server...(I'm lost here bear with me)...how do I find my ISP's DNS server and do the forwarding? Also can you give me an example of the configuration...it will help me visualize it. Thanks.

We need to work on terms here. "reserve 2 static DNS addresses" you reserved two IP addresses not DNS addresses. "Static IP: 192.145.15.109 subnet: 255.255.255.0 default gateway: 192.145.1.1" This information is wrong. The gateway needs to be in the same subnet as the server/pcs. It should be 192.145.15.1 You really didn't "Ran DCPROMO and added it as a child to AD" did you? You have a single tree and domain don't you? A child refers to an additional domain within the forest under another domain. A bit complex for home even for practice. Perhaps you really meant that you added this pc as a DC to the existing domain. End of terms update. To get your isp's dns entries logon to the router and go into the general config page. Dns servers ip addresses should be listed here. Write them down. In DNS go to your server name and right mouse click to then go to properties. One of the tabs is Forwarders. This is where you enter the isp's dns entries. This way a dns lookup from one of your pcs goes to your dns server. if the it can't resolve it the request is forwarded to your isp's dns servers to resolve [like google.com] HTH Golly gee wilerkers everyone. Learn to Internet Search

In lieu of above (i've searched many places for this great info above) as i have similar questions problems (sorry to piggy back of your post Wanderer) if my Router has the primary and secondary DNS servers for my ISP and is set up as the DHCP server, would the router be the Gateway as well? I've statically assigned all my boxes their ip addresses with TCP/IP configuration on each system, but i keep getting on EventLog for my separate print server pc and wireless pc (both wireless) that "dns could not resolve" "xxxx not available", Do the IP addresses need to be assigned statically behind the router within the router, or can this be done through my primary server, but don't have DHCP installed (hence me statically assigning the IPs) I've added my isp's dns server to the forwarders on my DNS configuration, but do i need to assigned the 'reverse' portion in the DNS on the server as well? The reason i'm asking these questions is because my 2 wireless boxes are not being resolved within my DNS server and my roaming profile is taking FOREVER to copy to the local account, sometimes timing out saying is can't find the 'domain name'.... Wanderer: you issues are similar to mine, with the additions above :)

Yes the router would be the gateway. "I've added my isp's dns server to the forwarders on my DNS configuration, but do i need to assigned the 'reverse' portion in the DNS on the server as well?" In "forwarders" do you mean forward lookup zone or the forwarders tab when you go to your servers properties in DNS? Your statement makes me think you put the entries in the wrong place - forward lookup zone. Ideally you would do dhcp from your server not static or from the router. By doing so DDNS is engaged. In other words dhcp will update dns records dynamically. This would also assure that the workstations get the server as the dns server in tcp/ip settings. I suspect your printer/logon resolution issue is that your workstations have the isp's dns server entries and not your AD dns server. Not sure what you mean by resolve my wireless devices. AP's? or laptops? Golly gee wilerkers everyone. Learn to Internet Search