Planning for RODCs in Branch Offices

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012

The section describes the following planning steps:

• Review the Existing Active Directory Design. This includes the following:

  • Evaluate Your Active Directory Logical Structure

  • Review Policy Settings and Network Settings

  • Determine the Domain Upgrade Order

  • Review the Existing Physical Structure

  • Recommendations from the Windows Server 2003 Branch Office Guide That Still Apply to RODCs

• Plan Replication for Branch Offices. This includes the following:

  • Plan for DFS Replication for SYSVOL

  • Review Bridgehead Server Load-Balancing Improvements with Windows Server 2008 RODCs

  • Plan the Hub Site Deployment

• Plan DNS Servers for Branch Office Environments

• Plan Global Catalog Servers