Mining company Kumba Resources contracted AST DTS, a business unit of the JSE-listed AST Group, to deliver a single Active Directory for the Kumba Resources infrastructure, using Microsoft Windows 2000 functionality. The R5 million project, which was completed within six months, created a separate Microsoft Active Directory (AD), Exchange and TCP/IP with DNS environment for Kumba Resources.
In addition, a single mail organisation, with easily accessible address lists, was delivered. Some 4 698 e-mail accounts and desktop PCs were migrated to the new Kumba Domain and Exchange environments with no less than 14 Exchange servers and 13 Domain Controllers countrywide and in Namibia. Kumba Resources was moved onto its own private Class A IP address range.
AST DTS designed a flexible directory that will simplify the adding and removing of business units within Kumba as the need arises. The project further identified the logical issues, infrastructure and systems that needed to be addressed to completely separate Kumba Resources from the Iscor infrastructure. The new design had to be in line with Kumba`s medium- and long-term technology and application requirements.
The project involved the redesign and implementation, according to Microsoft principles, of Active Directory and Exchange 2000 Server, with Microsoft involvement during the design, proof-of-concept and pilot phases. The desktop and server TCP/IP addresses were migrated to a new subnet, while the desktop domain and Exchange profiles were reconfigured. Due to the complex nature of the project, a phased approach was followed, in line with the Microsoft Solutions Framework.
Prior to Kumba Resources establishment as an independent company in November 2001, all IT-related infrastructure, connectivity, systems and communications were shared between Iscor and Kumba Resources. As part of the unbundling of Iscor Mining to Kumba Resources, it was necessary to "split" any shared infrastructure, with the goal that each company would have its "own" part of the infrastructure and systems. As a result, Kumba Resources requested a proposal from the AST Group for the design and implementation of a comprehensive, dedicated Microsoft AD, TCP/IP and Exchange environment.
The design and implementation had to comply with a number of Kumba`s business drivers and strategies, including the need for a separate, Microsoft technologies-based e-mail system and the flexibility to accommodate future requirements.
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