Install Active Directory on Windows Server 2003-Based Member Servers
Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2
Install Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003–based member server that is located in the forest root domain by using the Active Directory Installation Wizard. When you install Active Directory, the member server becomes a domain controller. You can install Active Directory on any Windows Server 2003–based member server that meets the domain controller hardware requirements. This is the recommended method for introducing Windows Server 2003 into your environment.
The Active Directory Installation Wizard:
Allows you to create an additional domain controller in the existing domain.
Configures the local server to host the directory service.
Creates directory partitions and default domain security principals.
Allows you to install or configure DNS.
To install Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003–based member server, start the Active Directory Installation Wizard by using one of the following methods:
To install Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003–based member server
At the command line, type:
dcpromo– or –
Open Administrative Tools, and then click Configure Your Server Wizard. Select Domain Controller (Active Directory) to configure your domain controller. After the Configure Your Server Wizard finishes, the Active Directory Installation Wizard begins.
After the first Windows Server 2003–based domain controller has been deployed, you can install Active Directory on additional domain controllers by installing from media, a new installation feature of Windows Server 2003. Installing from media allows you to pre-populate Active Directory with System State data backed up from an existing Windows Server 2003–based domain controller. This backup can be present on local CD, DVD, or hard disk partition. Installing from media drastically reduces the time required to install directory information by reducing the amount of data that is replicated over the network. Installing from media is most beneficial in environments with very large domains or for installing new domain controllers that are connected by a slow network link.
To install Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003–based member server from media
- In the Run dialog box, type dcpromo /adv, and then click OK.
The wizard prompts you to choose a network share or a backup as the installation source. If you are installing from backup files, you must identify the location of the files. If the domain controller from which you restored the System State data was a global catalog, you will have the option to make this new domain controller a global catalog. The wizard will then proceed with the installation.
Table 9.4 lists information for installing Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003–based member server, in addition to sample data for installing Active Directory on an additional domain controller in the existing Contoso forest. Contoso will install Active Directory from a Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition CD by using the dcpromo command.
Table 9.4 Installing Active Directory on Windows Server 2003–Based Member Servers
| Wizard Page or Dialog Box | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|
Domain Controller Type |
Select Additional domain controller for an existing domain. |
|
Network Credentials |
Type the user name and password of an account with sufficient privileges to install Active Directory on this computer, and the fully qualified domain name of the domain in which the computer will become an additional domain controller. |
|
Additional Domain Controller |
Type the full DNS name of the forest root domain. |
Concorp.contoso.com |
Database and Log Folders |
Type the folder locations specified by your design. |
Database folder: C:\Windows\NTDS Log folder: D:\Logs |
Shared System Volume |
Confirm or type the location specified by your design. |
C:\Windows\SYSVOL |
Directory Service Restore Mode Administration Password |
In the Password and Confirm password boxes, type any strong password. |
Verify that all information on the Summary page is accurate, and then click Finish. After Active Directory is installed, you will be prompted to restart the computer. The installation will not be complete until the computer restarts.
After you install Active Directory on the Windows 2003–based member server, allow sufficient time for replication to occur and other domain controllers to synchronize with the new domain controller.
For more information about installing and removing Active Directory, see the Active Directory Collection of the Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference (or see the Active Directory Collection on the Web at https://www.microsoft.com/reskit).