Navigating this situation may require leaning on WAN bandwidth optimization solutions such as BranchCache, in addition to site-to-site VPN connections. Set up additional domain controllers at branch officesĬontinuing with the theme of Windows domain controllers for a moment, you may run into a situation where you need to connect branch office users to key Windows Server features such as workstation backups and replicated shared folders that already exist somewhere else. Also, modifying host files on your PCs may help avoid the domain resolution hiccups. For starters, placing a server at each site may be worth it to support reliable, consistent file access.
What’s the best way to set up a branch office?Ĭheck out this Community thread for some more ideas about how to best set up and connect branch offices to Windows domain controllers. That way, you stay on top of directory service performance as well as disk space and CPU utilization, as Microsoft itself has noted in its documentation. If you’re using a Microsoft Windows Server 2012 environment, for instance, automated health checks are recommended.
Using network monitoring software and tools here can also help avoid common branch office technical pitfalls involving domain controllers, such as being unable to resolve domain names or frequently dropping mapped drives. Doing so ensures that they’re properly duplicating information and keeping it all up-to-date. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on all branch office domain controllers on a regular basis. Keep tabs on domain controller performance Here are a few best practices for staying out of the weeds when it comes to setup and network monitoring at these sites.
Distance and limited staff can definitely complicate these branch office management tasks. Having widely distributed sites can also reduce the need for some workers to trek all the way to HQ.īut there’s still the issue of monitoring the company WAN links, domain controllers, and IT equipment that serve branch offices. For example, direct Internet connectivity to software-as-a-service applications can simplify branch office networking. Moreover, they’re natural fits within big, ongoing trends such as the adoption of cloud computing and the growth of telecommuting. They can run the gamut from retail outposts to bank branches, serving many different purposes in extending your organization’s reach. What should a modern branch office actually do, anyway? These sites have plenty of potential.