Can we configure AD site cost on the basis of Newtork connectivity

Question

Hello Team,

I do have a Windows Server 2012 R2 AD in a lab environment. I need to setup AD site cost so that mail flow may function smoothly. Please support your suggestion with step by step screenshots.

location : dc1.contoso.com to dc2.contoso.com (Where dc1 is based in Mumbai and dc2 is based in Pune)

reference url : https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/determining-the-cost

Your quick response will be highly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi @Gurudas ,

like the article you posted says

You assign cost values to site links to favor inexpensive connections over expensive connections.

So the site cost would be determined by the speed of the network connection between both sides. Nevertheless, this is something which is beneficial in a multi-site Active Directory environments, with multiple site links. By settings the site costs you are actuallly determining the likelihood that the AD replication occurs over a particular route between two sites. In your case you have one site link, so the replication will always happen over this site-link, hence setting Site ccost does not bring you any advantages.

But...if you still insist on setting one, you can use the rule from the same article as it applies to WAN connection, the type of connection you most certianly have beween Mumbai and Pune:

For WAN link speed that is not listed in the table, you can calculate a relative cost factor by dividing 1,024 by the logarithm of the available bandwidth, as measured in Kbps.

Hope this helps you out.

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote or accept as answer, thank you)
Regards,
Stoyan

Answer 2

Read on here.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/plan/enabling-clients-to-locate-the-next-closest-domain-controller

--please don't forget to upvote and Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--