Installing Active Directory (dcpromo)

The Active Directory Installation Wizard (dcpromo.exe) promotes a Windows 2000 Server to a domain controller. This guide covers creating a new forest and domain.

Prerequisites

• Windows 2000 Server with SP4 installed
• An NTFS partition for the AD database and SYSVOL
• DNS server (the wizard can install DNS automatically)
• Static IP address configured on the server
• A planned domain name (e.g., corp.flamenet.io)

Running dcpromo

1. Click Start → Run, type dcpromo, and press Enter.
2. The wizard launches. Click Next on the welcome page.
3. Select Domain controller for a new domain.
4. Select Create a new domain tree, then Create a new forest of domain trees.
5. Enter the full DNS name: corp.flamenet.io.
6. Accept the default NetBIOS name (e.g., CORP) or customize it.
7. Choose the location for the AD database (NTDS.DIT) and log files. The default is %SystemRoot%\NTDS.
8. Choose the SYSVOL location. This folder stores Group Policy templates and logon scripts. It must be on an NTFS volume.
9. If DNS is not configured, the wizard offers to install and configure the DNS service automatically. Select Yes, install and configure DNS.
10. Choose Permissions compatible only with Windows 2000 servers for a pure Win2K environment.
11. Set the Directory Services Restore Mode password. This password is used when booting into DS Restore Mode to repair AD.
12. Review the summary and click Next to begin promotion.
13. The server reboots. After reboot, log in with the domain Administrator account.

Verification

REM Verify AD is running
net start | find "Directory"

REM Check DNS SRV records
nslookup -type=SRV _ldap._tcp.corp.flamenet.io

REM Open AD Users and Computers
dsa.msc