Can I copy NTDS dit from another DC?

Hi ,

Is it possible to copy ntds.dit file of a domain controller (e.g. DC1) to
another domain controller (e.g. DC2). The situation is that DC2 is on a
remote site with no connectivity to the domain. It is being used for Disaster
Recovery purposes.

Thanks
Wan

I am assuming that DC2 will never be connected to the domain.

Take a backup of DC1 (systemstate) and restore that backup on DC2 (you'd
have to keep the same name)

...so No, you can't simply copy ntds.dit file accross.

Post by Wan
Hi ,
Is it possible to copy ntds.dit file of a domain controller (e.g. DC1) to
another domain controller (e.g. DC2). The situation is that DC2 is on a
remote site with no connectivity to the domain. It is being used for Disaster
Recovery purposes.
Thanks
Wan

HELP!! can I copy ntds.dit file from one DC to another DC?

Discussion in 'Active Directory' started by mmac, Feb 7, 2004.

1. If I copy ntds.dit file from one DC to another DC which has a corrupted one,
   will that work or is each DC's ntds.dit file unique?

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2. No. Don't do this. Even if the DC will start up (I am not sure it will),
   your replication will be badly screwed because two DCs will think they are
   the same entity, and will fight to death, and will likely bring the whole
   forest down with them.

   --
   Dmitri Gavrilov
   SDE, Active Directory Core

   This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
   Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
   http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm

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3. I thought that might be a problem but you are the first to say no don't do
   it.
   While I am on the phone waiting for MS to answer, is there some other
   option I can try?
   I have the thing in directory restore mode at the moment and it is serving
   web pages so far. BIg deal but that is something at least.
   Help? It's really late and MS is slow to answer at this hour

4. I actually replied to your other thread here.
   Check your jet error.
   I think you lost the logs. If this is the case, then you have to rebuild the
   DC. I figured that's not the only DC in the domain, right?

   --
   Dmitri Gavrilov
   SDE, Active Directory Core

   This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
   Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
   http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm

5. I'll reply in the other thread

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• Question

• How to backup and restore Active Directory? Will copying the ntds.dir file and if something goes wrong again restoring the copied ntds.dir file to C://Windows/System32 work?

  ---

  Thanks and Regards, Radhakrishnan

  • Moved by Friday, May 25, 2012 1:35 PM Not a Training and Certification question (From:Training and Certification)

Answers

• • Proposed as answer by Selvan R Saturday, May 26, 2012 5:43 AM
  • Marked as answer by Jeff Ren Thursday, May 31, 2012 7:14 AM

• Only copying ntds.dit does not help. You need to perform system state backup.  You should remeber , AD does contain folders like SYSVOL and NETLOGON. SO backing up only ntds.dit is bad

  Below is the good guide to understand AD Backup and resotre

  http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb727048.aspx

  Regards,

  _Prashant_

  ---

  MCSA|MCITP SA|Microsoft Exchange 2003 Blog - http://prashant1987.wordpress.com Disclaimer: This posting is provided AS-IS with no warranties/guarantees and confers no rights.

  • Marked as answer by Jeff Ren Thursday, May 31, 2012 7:17 AM

Where is the NTDS DIT stored?

What is NTDS DIT in Active Directory?

Can you restore a DC from backup?

What is NTDS DIT full form?