Question : Windows Server 2008 TCP/IP Configuration (AD, DHCP, DNS, WINS)

I have a few questions regarding the setup of a Windows 2008 Standard Server Domain Controller TCP/IP setup which is also going to be hosting AD, DHCP, DNS and WINS.

Please keep the following in mind:  There is a current domain that I will be replacing that cannot be taken down until this new one is fully setup.  There is also a current DHCP server that dishing out IP's as well.  The new domain controller is also HOSTING AD, DHCP, DNS, and WINS.

==>  Is it ok if the gateway is on another network segmant (subnet) than the one that the server is on?
        (example: server IP: 192.168.101.1; Gateway: 192.168.6.254; Subnet: 255.255.255.0)

==>  Do you foresee a problem if I launch the new DHCP concurrent to the old one? (The current DHCP is pointing all IP seekers to the ISP provided dns servers)

==>  What DNS servers should the new DHCP server point all machines to? (internal dns/AD or external dns as it is currently?)

==>  What DNS should the domain controller be pointing to? It's self(127.0.0.1) or external DNS provided by ISP? (remember it is hosting: AD, DHCP, DNS, and WINS)

Please Advise,
Mike

Answer : Windows Server 2008 TCP/IP Configuration (AD, DHCP, DNS, WINS)

1. How would that work? The default gateway is the router for networks outside the host's own network. You can't reach a router on another network if you don't have a router in your own network to start with.

2. If it's the same physical network, and the scopes overlap, then, yes, there will obviously be lots of problems.

3., 4. I'm willing to bet top money that your current AD is slow, that reboots and logons take a long time, and that you have all other sorts of security related trouble, and it's because of incorrect DNS settings. Check the articles below to see how DNS for an AD domain needs to be setup (and, yes, they still apply to W2k8). After this fixed, you actually might not need to replace your current domain anymore.

10 DNS Errors That Will Kill Your Network
http://mcpmag.com/features/article.asp?EditorialsID=413

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows 2000 DNS and Windows Server 2003 DNS
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=291382

Best practices for DNS client settings in Windows 2000 Server and in Windows Server 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=825036