Installing Active Directory in Windows Server 2008

Before Installing Active Directory we have to configure the machines. Click here to know more

Note : To install Active Directory we need at least 2 machines in workgroup. One will be the server machine and the other will be a client.

What is Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) ?

Active Directory (AD) is a structure used on computers and servers running the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS). AD is used to store network, domain, and user information and was originally created by Microsoft in 1996. It was first deployed on Microsoft Windows 2000.

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) stores directory data (about users, computers, organizational units and other network resources)  and manages communication between users and domains, including user logon processes, authentication, and directory searches. An Active Directory domain controller is a server that is running AD DS.

AD DS provides a distributed directory service that you can use for centralized, secure management of your network.

Installing Active Directory on Windows Server 2008

Start - run - dcpromo - OK

The installation wizard will appear for Active Directory. Read the instructions and give Next twice. 

As we are creating domain for the first time, hence select Create a new domain in a new forest

Installing AD - Creating new domain

Give FQDN i.e. Fully Qualified Domain Name. e.g. mcitp.com

Installing AD - Giving FQDN

Specify Forest Functional Level

If the organization where we are doing this setup is already having some other machines running any version of Windows Server and you want to establish trust relationship with those machines, then select the lowest version from the list.

As this is our first machine and no other servers exist, hence select Windows Server 2008.

Installing AD - Specifying Forest Functional Level

Now when you give next, a warning will appear regarding IP, give yes and continue.

As DNS is not installed yet on the system, a message will appear in this regard. Give yes and continue.

Next it will ask for the path where the database of the Active Directory will be stored on the disk. Keep  the default values and give next.

Give directory service administrator password - e.g. admin@123 and give next.

The installation will start. 

Check Reboot on Completion so that system will restart after completing the AD installation.

Now

Create a user. Click here to know more

Bring the Client Machine in Domain. Click here to know more

and Finally login from client on the domain with the new user name and password.

Installing AD - Login Screen