Active Directory Download

Active Directory Download

For Active Directory download, Microsoft ADAM (Active Directory application mode) provides flexible directory enabled application that can be easily downloaded from the Microsoft’s site. However, it is very important to note that before you download, the Active Directory installation requirements must be met. Without complying by the essential requirements, it is nearly impossible to set up a new AD domain or domain controller in the AD.

Following are the pre-requisites before Active Directory download and install:

• An NTFS partition with sufficient free space
• Administrator's credentials
• The accurate version of the OS
• A NIC
• Appropriately configured TCP/IP (IP address, subnet mask and - optional - default gateway)
• A decent network link (to a hub or to another computer via a crossover cable)
• An operational DNS server
• A Domain name to be used
• The Windows Server 2003 CD media (i386 folder)

Installing Active Directory Domain Services (AD-DS)

For Active Directory running on windows server 2008, before you install Active Directory it is important that you install Active Directory domain services (AD-DS) role on the server. The AD DS role enables the Windows server to perform as domain controller and therefore it must be installed earlier to running dcpromo. The steps mentioned below must be followed in order to install the AD-DS through Server Manager/Initial Configuration Tasks method:

Roles can be added from Server Manager and initiated from the Initial Configuration Tasks wizard.

1. Open Server Manager by clicking the icon in the Quick Launch toolbar, or from the Administrative Tools folder.
2. Wait for a while till it finishes loading, and then click on Roles followed by Add Roles link.
3. Before you begin Window, click Next.
4. In the Select Server Roles window, you need to click to Select Active Directory Domain Services, and then click Next.
5. Click Next again.
6. .In the Confirm Installation Selections, make sure you read the provided information, and after that click Next.
7. Once the procedure gets completed, click Close.

Installing Active Directory

1. Going back to the Server Manager, now you need to click on the Active Directory Domain Services link.
2. Click on the DCPROMO link. OR To run DCPROMO, make sure you then enter the command in the Run command
3. Within a matter of a few minutes Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard will appear on your desktop screen. Click Next.
4. In the Operating System Compatibility Window, click Next.
5. While you choose Deployment Configuration window, click on "Create a new domain in a new forest" and click Next.
6. Enter an appropriate name are per your requirement for the new domain. Click Next.

The wizard will perform checks to examine whether the domain name that you entered is already in use on the local network or not.

Pick the right forest function level and the domain function level. Windows 2000 mode is the default, and permits an addition of Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 DC servers to the forest you're creating.

The AD DS Installation wizard performs check operation in order to validate appropriate configuration of DNS on the local network. If no DNS server is configured, then probably wizard will prompt you to install DNS on this server.

Note: The first DC must also be the Global Catalog but not a Read Only Domain controller.

The next step that one need to follow is modify the paths for the AD database, log files and SYSVOL folder followed by entering the password for the Active Directory Recovery Mode.

In the Summary window, once you review your selection click Next. After you click Next, the wizard starts creating the Active Directory domain. And, once the procedure gets over all that you need to do is just click Finish and reboot your system. The server now acts as a Domain Controller. However, just in case you feel like testing its functionalities you can use the AD management tools such as Active Directory Users and Computers.