Installing Active Directory

Installing Active Directory on a Windows Server 2022 involves setting up the server as a domain controller. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Prerequisites

1. Windows Server 2022 Installed: Ensure you have a clean installation of Windows Server 2022.
2. Static IP Address: Configure a static IP address on the server.
3. Admin Account: You need administrative privileges to install and configure Active Directory.

Steps to Install Active Directory

1. Open Server Manager:
   • Click on the Start menu.
   • Select Server Manager.
2. Add Roles and Features:
   • In Server Manager, click on Manage in the top-right corner.
   • Select Add Roles and Features.
3. Role-based or Feature-based Installation:
   • In the Add Roles and Features Wizard, select Role-based or feature-based installation.
   • Click Next.
4. Select Destination Server:
   • Choose the server you want to configure from the server pool.
   • Click Next.
5. Select Server Roles:
   • In the Select server roles window, check the box for Active Directory Domain Services.
   • A dialog box will pop up to add required features. Click Add Features.
   • Click Next.
6. Select Features:
   • You can select additional features if needed, but the defaults are usually sufficient.
   • Click Next.
7. AD DS Information:
   • Review the information about Active Directory Domain Services.
   • Click Next.
8. Confirmation:
   • Review your selections.
   • Check the box to Restart the destination server automatically if required.
   • Click Install.
9. Installation Progress:
   • The installation process will begin. This may take a few minutes.
   • Once the installation is complete, click on Close.
10. Promote this Server to a Domain Controller:
    • In Server Manager, click on the flag icon with a yellow triangle in the top-right corner.
    • Click on Promote this server to a domain controller.

Configure Active Directory Domain Services

1. Deployment Configuration:
   • In the Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard, select Add a new forest.
   • Enter your Root domain name (e.g., example.com).
   • Click Next.
2. Domain Controller Options:
   • Choose the Forest functional level and Domain functional level. For a new installation, you can select Windows Server 2022.
   • Check the boxes for DNS server and Global Catalog (GC).
   • Enter a Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password.
   • Click Next.
3. DNS Options:
   • Ignore the DNS delegation warning if it appears and click Next.
4. Additional Options:
   • Verify the NetBIOS domain name and click Next.
5. Paths:
   • Specify the locations for the Database folder, Log files folder, and SYSVOL folder.
   • The default locations are usually fine.
   • Click Next.
6. Review Options:
   • Review your configuration and click Next.
7. Prerequisites Check:
   • The wizard will perform a prerequisites check. Ensure all checks are passed.
   • Click Install.

Completing the Installation

• The server will automatically restart after the installation is complete.
• Once restarted, the server will be a domain controller with Active Directory Domain Services installed and configured.

Post-Installation Steps

1. Verify Installation:
   • Log in with your domain credentials.
   • Open Server Manager and check the AD DS status.
2. Create Organizational Units (OUs):
   • Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
   • Create OUs to organize users, groups, and computers.
3. Create User Accounts and Groups:
   • Use Active Directory Users and Computers to create user accounts and groups as needed.
4. Configure Group Policies:
   • Open Group Policy Management to create and manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs).
5. Configure DNS:
   • Ensure that the DNS settings are correct and that the server can resolve domain names.

Example of Creating an OU and User

1. Create an Organizational Unit (OU):
   • Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
   • Right-click the domain (e.g., example.com) and select New > Organizational Unit.
   • Name the OU (e.g., IT Department) and click OK.
2. Create a User:
   • Right-click the OU (e.g., IT Department) and select New > User.
   • Enter the user details (e.g., First name, Last name, User logon name) and click Next.
   • Set a password for the user and configure the password options (e.g., require password change at next logon).
   • Click Next and then Finish.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install and configure Active Directory on Windows Server 2022.