Special aspects of Windows Server 2003 family domain controllers

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Special aspects of Windows Server 2003 family domain controllers

As you manage your Windows Server 2003 family domains, you might want to learn more about operations master roles. This topic describes operations master roles briefly. A variety of domain topics are discussed in more depth in Active Directory.

Operations master roles are special roles that are assigned to one or more domain controllers in an Active Directory domain. The domain controllers that are assigned these roles perform operations that are single-master (not permitted to occur at different places in a network at the same time). For example, the creation of security identifiers for new resources (such as new computers) must be overseen by a single domain controller to ensure that the identifiers are unique.

The first domain controller installed in a domain is automatically assigned all the operations master roles. You can change the assignment of operations master roles after Setup, but in most cases this is not necessary. You will need to be particularly aware of operations masters roles if problems develop on an operations master or if you plan to take one out of service. For more information, see Operations master roles.