Checklist: Configuring the typical setup for a first server

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Checklist: Configuring the typical setup for a first server

Step Reference

Review key concepts for Active Directory.

Active Directory Overview

Review key concepts for DNS.

DNS Overview

Review key concepts for DHCP.

DHCP Overview

Review key concepts for Routing and Remote Access.

Routing Overview; Remote Access Overview

Review key concepts for application directory partitions in Active Directory.

Application directory partitions

Decide on a plan for your DNS domain namespace. Because Active Directory and the namespace have an identical structure, namespace planning is crucial to a smooth deployment of Active Directory. Also, if your network requires a presence on the Internet, verify that you have a registered Internet domain name.

Namespace planning for DNS

Verify that the server has an NTFS partition.

View the properties of a volume

Determine the name of the DNS zone for which you want this server to be authoritative. If you are setting up a small network with multiple computers connecting to the Internet (such as a home office), you also need the IP address of the DNS server at your Internet service provider.

Understanding zones and zone transfer; Dynamic update;Using forwarders

Make additional configuration changes to the DNS server or install additional DNS servers.

Checklist: Installing a DNS server; Configure a new DNS server

Configure additional options for the DHCP server.

Checklist: Installing a DHCP server

(Optional) Monitor and measure various aspects of the DNS server to prevent and troubleshoot performance degradation.

Monitoring DNS server performance

(Optional) Monitor and measure various aspects of the DHCP server to prevent and troubleshoot performance degradation.

Monitoring DHCP server performance; DHCP performance monitoring reference

(Optional) Install and configure additional domain controllers.

Checklist: Creating an additional domain controller in an existing domain

(Optional) Select the appropriate security level for domain administration.

Using the Active Directory Installation Wizard