GenivNET

Is domain controller virtualization a good thing?

Well, there are pros and cons in putting your domain controller in a virtualize environment.

For the pros:

1. You will have better use of hardware resources

2. There will be better Disaster Recovery for you DC

For the cons:

1. Now you will need to support extra software

2. Another layer of failure is now added

Personally, I think having the DC in a physical environment is a better solution. Because, now a day hardwares are cheap. But, if you are thinking of putting your DC in a virtual environment. It will works, but you will now rely on another software. So, one solution is to put your main domain controller in a physical box AND have the rest DC virtualized.

You might want to think also using the Windows Server 2008 Server Core installation.  This will minimize hardware resource for the DC.