SQL Server also Domain Controller ?

  • Our secondary domain controller died, so we have no backup if the main one also dies. We have a reporting SQL server we could temporarily utilize as a backup domain controller.

    What are the downsides to implementing the SQL 2008 server (Windows server 2003) as a domain controller and reporting SQL server until we get the other server fixed ?

  • Resource contention would my first thought..

    Is the SQL box running at near capacity or not?

    Honestly I would do this as a last resort.

    I would probably just build up a beefy desktop to fill the role till I could get a replacement server in instead. Adding a DC to a SQL box could easily cause performance issues for both SQL and the domain functionality.

    CEWII

  • A bigger issue to making a SQL Server a DC is the permissions that get set. I once (accidently) started to promote a SQL Server to be a DC (it was late, I was RDPed into the wrong server, I was young and naive!) It broke the SQL Server even after I cancelled the dcpromo...

    I managed to get it back up and running, but it wasn't a fun time.

    TL:DR:

    DON'T DO IT!

    Take Elliotts' suggestion, find a decently powered desktop PC, load Server 200X on it and make it a DC. Or if you've got a virtualization environment (Hyper-V, VMWare) load a virtual machine and set it up as a DC.

    Jason

  • jasona.work (7/9/2013)


    A bigger issue to making a SQL Server a DC is the permissions that get set. I once (accidently) started to promote a SQL Server to be a DC (it was late, I was RDPed into the wrong server, I was young and naive!) It broke the SQL Server even after I cancelled the dcpromo...

    I managed to get it back up and running, but it wasn't a fun time.

    TL:DR:

    DON'T DO IT!

    Take Elliotts' suggestion, find a decently powered desktop PC, load Server 200X on it and make it a DC. Or if you've got a virtualization environment (Hyper-V, VMWare) load a virtual machine and set it up as a DC.

    Jason

    I like the VM idea.

    I just thought of something else, depending on the rights that your SQL runs as I could see some real hacking opportunities with having a DC on the box with SQL..

    I just keep coming back to, it's just not worth it..

    CEWII

  • http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143506%28v=sql.100%29.aspx#DC_Support

    Section: Installing SQL Server on a Domain Controller

    The biggest issue is reinstalling SQLServer before promo and then after changing from DC to domain meber.

    "After SQL Server is installed on a computer, you cannot change the computer from a domain member to a domain controller. You must uninstall SQL Server before you change the host computer to a domain controller."

  • Thanks for the replies. We will find a different box to use.

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