In this tutorial, I am going to explain how to install and configure Windows Server 2008 domain controller and DNS server, which can be used as a centralized server to maintain user information, organizational unit, group policy settings, etc. .
1) Go to Start >> Run and type “dcpromo” and hit enter.
The server will now start to verify if the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) binaries are installed or not; if not, it will install it. After running “dcpromo”, a popup window like the one below will appear that will scan the server.
2) After the AD DS binaries are installed, you will get the “Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard” as shown below
Here you will find an option “Use advanced mode installation” that will show you more options (basically for advanced users). You can keep the checkbox unchecked and hit Next
3) Next Windows will show basic information about Microsoft Windows 2008 Active Directory Services. Press Next to continue
4) Choose the deployment configuration: this window will allow you to add the server to an existing forest or create a new domain forest.
Select Create a new domain in a new forest and press Next.
5) Forest root domain name – Enter the domain name (fully qualified domain name) that will act as the root domain for AD DS and click Next.
It will take some time to check if the domain is already in use or not.
6) Set the Forect function level: we suggest that you read the description of each operating system before selecting the option
7) Set the domain function level: we suggest that you read the description of each operating system before selecting the option
8) Additional domain controller option: In this window you can select the DNS service here. Also, because this server is the first domain controller in a forest, it must have a global catalog because it does not allow you to enable or disable this feature. I also want to configure this domain controller server as a DNS server, so I have kept the checkbox next to DNS server selected. Click Next to continue.
Please wait a while for DNS settings and if any DNS warning popup appears, press Yes to continue.
9) Location of database, log files and SYSVOL: in this window you can set the path for the database, log files and SYSVOL. If you don’t want to change it, keep them default and hit Next.
10) Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator Password: Enter the password (and confirm it) that you will use to log in to the domain controller.
11) Summary: It will show you the summary of all the settings you have selected. Here you can export the current configuration that can be used for any other configuration.
12) The installation wizard will install / configure everything on your server now
13) Restart: Once the above process is complete, press Finish and restart the server.
By default, the domain name is NETBIOS. For example, here I have used the domain adtesting.com so that the NETBIOS name is ADTESTING. So after reboot I have to login to the server, I will use “ADTESTING Administrator” as username and password that I used in Step 10.
