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Follow me and learn Windows Server 2012 - Rapid deployment of DC with Cloning

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Hello, Bruce here again.  With the release Windows Server 2012 we all have to start learning the new features of the product.    So I thought I would share with you what I’m studying tonight and some resource to bring you to speed at the same time.     Below is the second topic I’m starting to look at.

Rapid deployment with cloning

AD DS in Windows Server 2012 allows you to deploy replica virtual domain controllers by “cloning” existing virtual domain controllers. You can promote a single virtual domain controller by using the domain controller promotion interface in Server Manager, and then rapidly deploy additional virtual domain controllers within the same domain, through cloning.

The process of cloning involves creating a copy of an existing virtual domain controller, authorizing the source domain controller to be cloned in AD DS, and running Windows PowerShell cmdlets to create a configuration file that contains detailed promotion instructions (name, IP address, Domain Name System [DNS] servers, and so on). Or you can leave the configuration file empty, which allows the system to automatically fill in the information. Cloning reduces the number of steps and time involved by eliminating repetitive deployment tasks, and it enables you to fully deploy additional domain controllers that are authorized and configured for cloning by the Active Directory domain administrator. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831477.aspx#BKMK_VirtualizationJustWorks

Introduction to Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) Virtualization

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831734.aspx

Steps for deploying a clone virtualized domain controller

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831734.aspx#steps_deploy_vdc

Active Directory Virtualization Safeguards and Domain Controller Cloning with Windows Server 2012

https://northamerica.msteched.com/topic/details/2012/SIA317#fbid=6Bsslue7jST

New features in Active Directory Domain Services in Windows Server 2012, Part 13: Domain Controller Cloning

https://blogs.dirteam.com/blogs/sanderberkouwer/archive/2012/09/10/new-features-in-active-directory-domain-services-in-windows-server-2012-part-13-domain-controller-cloning.aspx

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 01, 2003
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    October 18, 2012
    How does Windows Server 2012 Cloning of a DC handle windows patches? Can you "slipstream" or "update" the base template with the Windows Updates? Or do you have to deploy the DC, then patch it?

  • Anonymous
    October 24, 2012
    Yes, it would be helpful to know how to keep the image up to date without creating a new.