Checklist: Deploy the First Forest Root Domain Controller

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

Complete the tasks in this checklist in the order in which they are presented. If 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: Deploy the First Forest Root Domain Controller

  Task Reference

Install Windows Server 2008 on the computer that you want to make the domain controller.

Install Windows Server 2008 on the First Forest Root Domain Controller

Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) by running the Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard on the computer that you want to make the first forest root domain controller.

Install AD DS on the First Forest Root Domain Controller

Verify the installation of AD DS on the first forest root domain controller.

Verify AD DS Installation on the First Forest Root Domain Controller

Configure the Windows Time service (W32time) to meet the needs of your organization.

Configure the Windows Time Service

Verify DNS server recursive name resolution on the first forest root domain controller.

Verify DNS Server Recursive Name Resolution on the First Forest Root Domain Controller

Make it possible for clients to locate a domain controller in the next closest site by enabling the Try Next Closest Site Group Policy setting. For more information, see Enabling Clients to Locate the Next Closest Domain Controller.

Enable Clients to Locate a Domain Controller in the Next Closest Site

Back up the private key of the domain's Encrypting File System (EFS) recovery agent.

Back Up the Private Key of the Domain's EFS Recovery Agent