Creating the Active Directory

After you have installed Windows Server 2003 on a stand-alone server, run the Active Directory Wizard to create the new Active Directory forest or domain, and then convert the Windows Server 2003 computer into the first domain controller in the forest. To convert a Windows Server 2003 computer into the first domain controller in the forest, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
2. Click Start, click Run, and then type dcpromo.
3. Click OK to start the Active Directory Installation Wizard, and then click Next.
4. Click Domain controller for a new domain, and then click Next.
5. Click Domain in a new forest, and then click Next.
6. Specify the full DNS name for the new domain. Note that because this procedure is for a laboratory environment and you are not integrating this environment into your existing DNS infrastructure, you can use something generic, such as mycompany.local, for this setting. Click Next.
7. Accept the default domain NetBIOS name (this is "mycompany" if you used the suggestion in step 6). Click Next.
8. Set the database and log file location to the default setting of the c:\winnt\ntds folder, and then click Next.
9. Set the Sysvol folder location to the default setting of the c:\winnt\sysvol folder, and then click Next.
10. Click Install and configure the DNS server on this computer, and then click Next.
11. Click Permissions compatible only with Windows 2000 or Windows Server 2003 servers or operating systems, and then click Next.
12. Because this is a laboratory environment, leave the password for the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator blank. Note that in a full production environment, this password is set by using a secure password format. Click Next.
13. Review and confirm the options that you selected, and then click Next.
14. The installation of Active Directory proceeds. Note that this operation may take several minutes.
15. When you are prompted, restart the computer. After the computer restarts, confirm that the Domain Name System (DNS) service location records for the new domain controller have been created. To confirm that the DNS service location records have been created, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click DNS to start the DNS Administrator Console.
    2. Expand the server name, expand Forward Lookup Zones, and then expand the domain.
    3. Verify that the _msdcs, _sites, _tcp, and _udp folders are present. These folders and the service location records they contain are critical to Active Directory and Windows Server 2003 operations.