Checklist: Creating a new forest

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

Checklist: Creating a new forest

Step Reference

(Optional) Review concepts and key DNS implications to consider before setting up a new forest.

Creating a new forest

(Optional) Review concepts about security and other options available when using the Active Directory Installation Wizard.

Using the Active Directory Installation Wizard

Verify that the server on which you will be installing Active Directory has an NTFS partition.

Reformatting or converting a partition to use NTFS

(Optional) Review the role of a domain controller.

Domain controllers

(Optional) Review concepts on Domain Name System (DNS) namespace planning and how Active Directory is integrated with DNS.

Namespace planning for DNS; Configure a DNS server for use with Active Directory; DNS integration

Verify that you are a member of the Administrators group on the server on which you will be installing Active Directory.

Default groups

Verify that DNS is properly configured before installing Active Directory.

Checklist: Verifying DNS before installing Active Directory

Create the domain controller.

Create a new forest