Install Active Directory windows Server 2003

After you have installed Windows Server 2003 on a stand-alone server, run the Active Directory Wizard to create the new Active Directory forest or domain, and then convert the Windows Server 2003 computer into the first domain controller in the forest. To convert a Windows Server 2003 computer into the first domain controller in the forest, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
2. Click Start, click Run, and then type dcpromo.
3. Click OK to start the Active Directory Installation Wizard, and then click Next.
4. Click Domain controller for a new domain, and then click Next.
5. Click Domain in a new forest, and then click Next.
6. Specify the full DNS name for the new domain. Note that because this procedure is for a laboratory environment and you are not integrating this environment into your existing DNS infrastructure, you can use something generic, such as mycompany.local, for this setting. Click Next.
7. Accept the default domain NetBIOS name (this is "mycompany" if you used the suggestion in step 6). Click Next.
8. Set the database and log file location to the default setting of the c:\winnt\ntds folder, and then click Next.
9. Set the Sysvol folder location to the default setting of the c:\winnt\sysvol folder, and then click Next.
10. Click Install and configure the DNS server on this computer, and then click Next.
11. Click Permissions compatible only with Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 servers or operating systems, and then click Next.
12. Because this is a laboratory environment, leave the password for the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator blank. Note that in a full production environment, this password is set by using a secure password format. Click Next.
13. Review and confirm the options that you selected, and then click Next.
14. The installation of Active Directory proceeds. Note that this operation may take several minutes.
15. When you are prompted, restart the computer. After the computer restarts, confirm that the Domain Name System (DNS) service location records for the new domain controller have been created. To confirm that the DNS service location records have been created, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DNS to start the DNS Administrator Console.
    2. Expand the server name, expand Forward Lookup Zones, and then expand the domain.
    3. Verify that the _msdcs, _sites, _tcp, and _udp folders are present. These folders and the service location records they contain are critical to Active Directory and Windows Server 2003 operations.

Install Domain Controller Windows Server 2003

Method:

Click Start -> Run...

Type "dcpromo" and click "OK"

You will see the first window of the wizard.  As it suggests, I suggest reading the help associated with Active Directory.  After this, click "Next"

Click "Next" on the compatibility window, and in the next window keep the default option of "Domain Controller for a new domain" selected, and click "Next"

In this tutorial we will create a domain in a new forest, because it is the first DC, so keep that option selected

Now we have to think of a name for our domain.  If you own a web domain like "visualwin.com", you can use it, but it isn't suggested because computers inside of your domain may not be able to reach the company website.  Active Directory domains don't need to be "real" domains like the one above - they can be anything you wish.  So here I will create "visualwin.testdomain"

Now in order to keep things simple, we will use the first part of our domain ("visualwin"), which is the default selection, as the NetBIOS name of the domain

The next dialog suggests storing the AD database and log on separate hard disks, and so do I, but for this tutorial I'll just keep the defaults

The SYSVOL folder is a public share, where things like .MSI software packages can be kept when you will distribute packages (as I said, AD has a lot of different features).  Once again, I will keep the default selection but it can be changed if you wish to use the space of another drive

Now we will get a message that basically says that you will need a DNS server in order for everything to work the way we want it (i.e., our "visualwin.testdomain" to be reachable).  As I mentioned earlier, we will install the DNS server on this machine as well, but it can be installed elsewhere.  So keep the default selection of "Install and configure", and click "Next"

Because, after all, this is a Windows Server 2003 tutorial website, we'll assume there are no pre-Windows 2000 servers that will be accessing this domain, so keep the default of "Permissions compatible only with Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 operating systems" and click "Next"

The restore mode password is the single password that all administrators hope to never use, however they should also never forget it because this is the single password that might save a failed server.  Make sure it's easy to remember but difficult to guess

Now we will see a summary of what will happen.  Make sure it's all correct because changing it afterwards can prove to be difficult

After the previous next was clicked, the actual process occurs.  This can take several minutes.  It's likely that you will be prompted for your Windows Server 2003 CD (for DNS) so have it handy

If your computer has a dynamically assigned address (from DHCP) you will be prompted to give it a static IP address.  Click ok, and then in the Local Area Connection properties, click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" and then "Properties"

In the next window select "Use the following IP address" and select the information that you will use for your domain (and 127.0.0.1 for the primary DNS, because your computer will host DNS.  I still suggest setting up an alternate as well.)  Click "OK" and then "Close" on the next window

And after a while you will see

And we're finished.

You may also want to see the other Active Directory tutorials on the main page, including adding users, and adding computers to the Active Directory, either manually into the domain, or from existingWindows XP and Windows 2000 computers.

Install Domain Controller in Windows Server 2003