Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
Lesson 3
Lesson 3
active directory installation
By Sai Kurada
September 06, 2023
Installing Active Directory involves several steps. Please note that this is a high-level overview, and actual installation steps may vary depending on your specific environment and requirements. Also, be sure to back up critical data before making any significant changes to your system.
Steps to install Active Directory on a Windows Server:
Prepare the Environment:
Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS):
Promote the Server to a Domain Controller:
Active Directory Configuration:
Verify the Installation:
Configure DNS Settings:
Additional Configurations (Optional):
Regular Backups:
Remember to consult Microsoft's official documentation and best practices for detailed and up-to-date instructions. Always exercise caution when making changes to critical infrastructure components like Active Directory.
Prepare the Environment:
- Ensure that you have a Windows Server operating system installed on a computer that meets the system requirements for Active Directory.
- Assign a static IP address to the server.
- Verify that the server has access to the internet (for downloading updates and accessing necessary resources).
Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS):
- Open the Server Manager by clicking on the Windows icon, then selecting "Server Manager."
- In the Server Manager dashboard, click on "Add roles and features."
- Follow the wizard to add the "Active Directory Domain Services" role. This will also prompt you to install necessary features and services.
- Continue through the wizard, accepting the default settings until you reach the "Install" button. Click "Install" to begin the installation process.
Promote the Server to a Domain Controller:
- After the AD DS role is installed, a notification will appear. Click on it and select "Promote this server to a domain controller."
- This will open the Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard. Follow the steps in the wizard:
- Select "Add a new forest" if this is the first domain controller in your network, or choose "Add a domain controller to an existing domain" if you are adding an additional domain controller to an existing domain.
- Enter the root domain name for your Active Directory environment.
- Specify the domain and forest functional levels (these should be chosen based on compatibility requirements).
- Set a Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password.
- Review the summary and click "Next."
- The wizard will check for prerequisites. If everything is in order, click "Install."
Active Directory Configuration:
- After the installation completes, the server will automatically restart.
- Once restarted, log in using your domain administrator credentials.
Verify the Installation:
- Open "Active Directory Users and Computers" from the Administrative Tools menu. Ensure that the domain structure and default objects (like Users, Computers, etc.) are visible.
Configure DNS Settings:
- AD DS relies heavily on DNS. Make sure that the DNS server settings on the domain controller point to the DNS server itself.
Additional Configurations (Optional):
- Depending on your specific requirements, you may need to configure additional settings such as setting up additional domain controllers, creating organizational units, adding users, and applying Group Policies.
Regular Backups:
- It's crucial to establish a regular backup and recovery plan for your Active Directory environment.
Remember to consult Microsoft's official documentation and best practices for detailed and up-to-date instructions. Always exercise caution when making changes to critical infrastructure components like Active Directory.
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