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Deploy at least one domain controller in each physical location with more than 10 users.
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Use the Install from Media option to deploy remote Global Catalog servers.
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Promote or demote Global Catalog servers and domain controllers during off-hours.
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Use Exchange Server 2003 site consolidation concepts to reduce the total number of deployed Exchange Servers and Global Catalog servers.
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Understand the role of DSAccess, DSProxy, and the Categorizer and how Global Catalog or domain controller failures can affect them.
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Place at least one GC in close network proximity to any major service (such as Exchange Server 2003) that requires use of the Global Catalog (3268) port.
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Ensure that at least one domain is in Windows 2003 Native mode or Windows Server 2003 functional modes before migrating to Exchange Server 2003.
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Do not use substandard or workstation hardware for Global Catalog servers, because failures can affect Outlook clients .
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Use Outlook 2002 or 2003 clients when possible to reduce the threat of client lockup in the event of GC failure.
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Use universal group caching for domain controllers in sites without local Exchange servers.