Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller Setup
Set Up your First Domain Controller
in Windows Server 2012
In Windows Server 2012, dcpromo has been deprecated.
Using Server Manager (UI)
To make a windows server 2012 domain controller we will need to install ADDS (Active Directory
Domain Services) role from the server manager.
Important: All the Latest security updates should be applied before installing the Role.
First we will change the server name to fit the current naming standard, <Purpose_SRV_Number>,
DC_SRV_01 and the IP address xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, which should be a range reserved on the
network for all servers. E.g. Server Range: 192.168.100.50-150
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Installing the AD DS role
Note: “Before You Begin” screen provides you basic information such as configuring strong
passwords, IP addresses and Windows updates.
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On Installation Type page, select the first option “Role-based or Feature-based Installation“.
Note: Scenario-based Installation option applied only to Remote Desktop services.
On the “Server Selection” Page, select a server from the server pool that will be the DC and
click next.
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To install AD DS, select Active Directory Domain Services in turn it will pop-up to add other AD
DS related tools. Click on Add Features.
After clicking “Add Features” above, you will be able to click “Next >” as shown in the screen
below.
Note: Select DNS Server if you also require DNS Services
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On the “Select Features” Page, Group Policy Management feature automatically installed
during the promotion. Click next.
On the “Active Directory Domain Services” page, it gives basic information about AD DS. Click
Next.
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On the “Confirmation” Page, you need to confirm this to continue with this configuration. It will
provide you an option to export the configuration settings and also if you want the server to be
restarted automatically as required.
After clicking “Install” the selected role binaries will be installed on the server.
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PROMOTING WINDOWS 2012
SERVER TO DOMAIN CONTROLLER
After “Active Directory Domain Services” role binaries have been installed and now it is time to
promote the server to a Domain Controller.
To create a new AD forest called “<Company>.local”, select add a new forest.
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Type the name <Company>.local
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Specify the FFL, DFL, whether or not it should be a DNS Server and also the DSRM administrator
password.
As you can see, it has selected the GC option by default and you cannot deselect it.
The reason for this is that is the very first DC of the AD forest and at least one needs to be a GC.
DNS delegation warning.
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Checks the NetBIOS name already assigned.
Specify the location of the AD related folders and then click next.
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Summary of All Installation Options/Selections.
Click View script for single command line PowerShell script for dcpromo.
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Before the actual install of AD, all prerequisites are checked. If All prerequisite checks are passed
successfully then click Install.
When you click Install, DNS and the GPMC are installed automatically.
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After the promotion of the server to a DC is finished the server restarts automatically.
Once the server is booted and you logon to it, click on Server Manager | Tools, notice that
following have been installed:
Active Directory Administrative Center
Active Directory Domains and Trusts
Active Directory Module for Windows PowerShell
Active Directory Sites and Services
Active Directory Users and Computers
ADSI Edit
DNS
Group Policy Management
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