Creating a Windows 2003 Active Directory server

Updated   Read time 1 min 38 sec(s)   (632 views).  Windows  

Once you've installed a new Windows Server 2003 server you'll need to run the Active Directory Wizard to create a new Active Directory domain.

Using the follow these steps we can convert the Win2K3 server into an active member of an Active Directory forest:

  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. Click Next.
  7. Accept the default domain NetBIOS name (this is "foobar" 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. Review and confirm the options that you selected, and then click Next.
  13. The installation of Active Directory proceeds. Note that this operation may take several minutes.
  14. 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.

Resources

Microsoft KB324753