Installing Active Directory on Windows Server 2008 R2

Installing Active Directory on a fresh Windows Server 2008 R2 machine in a home network.

These instructions will assume you are starting from scratch, have a static IP address on your server, and that you also do not have a compatible DNS server installed.

Also in your IP settings please make sure the DNS server address is pointing to the IP address of the server on which you are installing Active Directory. This is necessary to be able to install a DNS server on the same server machine when it comes to promoting the server to a Domain Controller later on.

These instructions will

• Install an Active Directory Domain Services role • Promote the server to a domain controller - with a new Domain in a new Forest• Install a new DNS server

Install the Active Directory Domain Services role

Click on Add roles on the Initial Configuration window

Select the box next to Active Directory Doman Services

Select Add Required Features

Click Next

Click Install

Open the Server Manager

Click on “Run the Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard (dcpromo.exe)”

Promote the server to a Domain Controller and configure Active Directory

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Select Create a new domain in a new forest

Basically this means we’re starting from scratch, installing our first domain in a first forest

Click Next

Enter a domain name

Click Next

Choose a Forest Functional Level

Since we’re installing our first domain in a our home network (to put it simply), our choice here will affect what domain controllers we may want to add this this forest in future.

Learn more here

Click Next

Choose a Domain Functional Level

Again, our choice here will affect what domain controllers we may want to add this this domain in future.

Learn more here

At this point the wizard will examine if there is a DNS server available (one that is compatible with Active Directory).

If you set a static IP address and pointed the DNS server address to the

Note that your average broadband router or modem is most likely not be compatible with Active Directory.

This should take only a couple of minutes.

Install the DNS server role

With no DNS server available the wizard will recommend installing one on this server.

Make sure DNS Server is checked

Click Next

Click Yes to continue

Since we don’t have an existing DNS server we don’t have to concern ourselves with this message.

Leave everything as default

Click Next

Choose a strong password for the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator account.

What is Directory Services Restore Mode?

If you ever have to restore Active Directory on this domain controller, You will need to boot into Directory Services Restore Mode and log in using this password to be able to restore it.

Click Next

Click Next when you have confirmed everything is correct on the summary screen and wait for the installation to finish.

Click Finish

Restart the server when prompted

You will need to install a DHCP server to be able to

fully use Active Directory on your network.

Instructions are available on my blog

emeneye.wordpress.com

That’s it.