How to Install and Configure Active Directory in Windows 2012 R2

Install Windows Server 2012 R2 Operating System.

Log in as Local Administrator.

At the bottom right corner of the screen, right-click the digital clock to adjust the time zone and the time.

Click Change Time Zone

Set time zone to EST and click OK.

Also set the time correctly.

Click the Start menu and search for ncpa.cpl.

The Network Connections will open.

Right-click the Ethernet0 to change its properties. We will change its IPv4 to:

IP Address: 192.168.1.12

Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

DNS: 192.168.1.12

DNS is a pre-requisite for Active Directory. Right now, 192.168.1.12 is not yet a DNS server, but we will install the DNS role on this server, so that is the reason why we set DNS to this IP address.

Hightlight Internet Protocol Vertion 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

Click OK when done.

Click Close to dismiss this dialog box

At this point, the server will lose Internet connectivity because the DNS is set to a non-existing one.

Next, we will change the Server name to DC2K12.

Right-click the Start menu and choose System

Click Change Settings.

Click Change.

Enter the computer name as DC2K12. Click OK when done.

Click OK

Click Close

Click Restart Now to restart the server so that the Computer change can take effect.

When the server starts, Server Manager will automatically open.

If you do not see the Server Manager, you can open it by clicking this icon in the taskbar.

Now click Add roles and features.

Click Next

Choose Active Directory Domain Services and DNS

Click Add Features for Active Directory and Domain Services.

Click Add Features for DNS.

Next

Put a checkmark on Restart the destination server. Click Yes to confirm.

Click Install.

Click OK to close the Installation.

Now it is time to configure ADDS. Click The Yellow warning sign to configure.

Click Promote this server to a domain controller

Choose to add a New forest with the name DALARIS.LOCAL

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Next

Click Install.

Click Close as Windows Server will now restart.

After the server comes back, click the Start button and type:

dsa.msc followed by pressing the Enter key

Open the DSA console to check that Active Directory Users and Computers are all present.

Also click Start and type dnsmgmt.msc

The DNS Server console will open. Make sure the DNS zones are presents.

That’s it.

 

 

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