My desire is to put up a small domain while not disrupting the existing WORKGROUP.
The domain would be a learning lab for getting my hands dirty learning and dealing with Windows Server roles & AD, DC, GPO, etc. I'm a neophyte. And I am willing to do a lot of trial and error experiments -- even if it means restarting by wiping out the OS and reinstalling it.
The existing WORKGROUP is supporting 5 W10 Pro PCs along with a number of devices attached to the LAN, e.g. a SONOS music system. Additionally, these WINTEL boxes are being backed up using a WSE2016 server using the native Client PC backup service (Essentials).
I do not want to disrupt the WORKGROUP or the LAN -- period.
My understanding is a DC will "take over" the DHCP function of the router. And furthermore, my understanding is that unless the PCs on the LAN which is a part of the WORKGROUP are joined to the domain, they will not be able to access the internet.
Can a home LAN support a mixed environment? If so, how? I would expect some additional networking devices might be needed but beyond that I'm at a loss as to how to proceed.
TIA
DJ
No, a Domain Controller does not need to have the DHCP role installed. It can be done but it is not needed. I don't understand your second question about not being able to access the Internet. If a client computer is joined to the domain it should use the DNS server on the Domain Controller and it will have access to the Internet. If the DC is down Internet access for the client computer will be a problem if it uses the DNS server on the DC. Any domain joined device must use a AD integrated DNS server.
Imagine you a workstation named Client-A that is joined to the domain it will have DNS server setting pointing to the DNS server on the Domain Controller. If another workstation Client-B is not in the domain and in a WORKGROUP it will happily live together on the same network. That should not be a problem if IP settings are correct.
Hope this helped a bit
So my understanding of the way a DC works is incorrect. It is not an all or nothing affair.
I will now go back and review the specifics of the DC knowing there are options. I can see what my first set of experiments will be.
Thank you!
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