The first domain that you create in your Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) forest is automatically designated as the forest root domain. The forest root domain provides the foundation for your Active Directory forest infrastructure. You must create the forest root domain before you create regional domains or upgrade other Active Directory domains to join them to an existing forest.

Note

This parent checklist contains links to subordinate checklists that you can use when you complete the tasks that are required to deploy a Windows Server 2008 forest root domain. Complete the tasks in this checklist in the order in which they are presented. When a reference link takes you to a conceptual topic, return to this checklist after you review the conceptual topic so that you can proceed with the remaining tasks.

Checklist:

Deploying Windows Server 2008 Forest Root Domain

	Task	Reference
	Review the AD DS logical structure design.	Reviewing the AD DS Design
	Configure the Domain Name System (DNS) for the forest root domain. Note When no DNS infrastructure exists, skip this step in the forest root domain deployment process.	Configuring DNS for the Forest Root Domain
	Create your forest root domain.	Checklist: Creating the Forest Root Domain
	Enable Windows Server 2008 AD DS advanced features by raising the forest and domain functional levels. Note We recommend that you raise forest and domain functional levels while you run the Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard (Dcpromo.exe).	Raising the Functional Levels