Test Site-to-Site Connectivity

Updated: April 30, 2010

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

Take the following steps to test the remote site connection:

  • Test network connectivity. Ping a client computer at the main office from a client computer in the branch office. For more information, see Using the Ping Command (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=192173).

  • Test application connectivity. Map a network drive to a client computer at the main office from a client computer in the branch office. For example, map a drive to \\ClientComputerName\c$.

  • Test dial-out or dial-in hours for an on-demand connection. If you specified times when the calling router is supposed to deny outgoing connection requests or when the answering router is supposed to deny incoming connection requests, initiate a connection from a client computer at the calling site at times when the connection should be denied and accepted.

  • Force replication between domain controllers in both sites. If you have a domain controller in both sites, use the following procedure to test replication:

    1. Open the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in, and then create a new user account called, for example, TestReplication.

    2. Use the Replicate Now option in the Active Directory Sites and Services snap-in to test that replication takes place over the site-to-site connection.

    3. Confirm that the new user account exists on domain controllers located in both sites.