…How To…
 
 In this article I describe how to install Active Directory on Windows 2003 server. It should be noted that the procedure is virtually identical to install Active Directory on Windows 2000 server. This is what Windows is all about and knowing Active Directory is something necessary for both MCSE exams and day to day running of a Windows domain.

I have made several assumptions, please note these before going any further.

i.) You have given your server a static ip address on your network, subnet mask and set the Primary DNS server as itself (As we will be configuring DNS on this server during the install.)
ii.) As you have asked the question “How to Install Active Directory?” then you have not done it before, therefore the following procedure is for the first domain controller in a new domain, in a new forest.
iii.) You have the relevant software (Duh!)

And most importantly

iv.) You have named the server with the name you want to keep. In Windows 2000 you cannot rename a domain controller without removing Active Directory again. In Windows 2003 it is a fairly straightforward procedure but I have seen lots of grief caused by this.
If you need to change the name of the server then right click My Computer and do it now before continuing. Don’t worry about the suffix bit we will do this during the next phase.

Installing Active Directory

1.) It all begins with a simple command. Just click on start, run, type “dcpromo” as below and we’re away.

2.) If you have installed Terminal Services (maybe for remote administration) you will get the next message. If you haven’t, carry on to step 3.

3.) The Wizard appears as below. Click next

4.) Read and click next on the information box

5.) Select domain controller for a new domain.

6.) Select domain in a new forest

7.) Fill in the full DNS name. You can set this so the domain is the same as your website address (johnkellett.co.uk) or use an internal domain, the default being .local ie johnkellett.local. (It doesn’t really make much difference, you will need to create another DNS A record if you use your internet domain name.)
 

8.) Next it asks for the NETBIOS name. This is the naming conventions older operating systems such as Windows NT use. We will select the defaultas below.

9.) Ideally for increased performance store the database and log on seperate drives. As I am extremely poor I only have one so we will continue with both on C

10.) Install and Configure DNS on this computer.

11.) Select the correct option depending on your environment.

12.) Set a windows restore password. You may not need this for a long time but when you do it will probably be time critical and it’s different than the administrator password, so REMEMBER IT!!!

13.) Click Next on the informational box.

14.) The Active Directory Install now begins

15.) Do NOT click cancel, it will probably end up with the server needing to be formatted if you do. It might take some time and do various things like this…..

16.) When you’ve had your coffee you should hopefully see the following. Click finish.

17.) Click Restart and it’s job done!

There are not normally any problems installing this for the first time. If you do you can remove and reinstall Active Directory but as Domain Controllers are very important (paticularly the first one) if after a couple of gos the install isn’t going to plan then I would always feel better formatting and reinstalling windows completely now rather than having to do it in a live environment a month or so down the line.