Creating an Active Directory in Windows Server

Creating an Active Directory is pretty straight forward and beginner related subject. This AD will be used for future posts as well to showcase what can be done. In the future we’ll cover anything from basic skills to experienced skills. For reference, the machine used is a Proxmox VM.

Requirements:

• A bare metal machine OR a VM
• This tutorial will using Windows Server Datascenter 2022
• A static IP address for the server setup beforehand

Lets get started! First, open up Server Manager. If you can’t find it, you can always hit Win+R and type in “servermanager“.

If you see Red for Local Server and All Server, this is okay and can be easily dealt with. Right click on the reg box for Local Server and hit “Refresh”

Next go to “Add Roles and features”. Alternatively you can also click “Manage” on the top right.

Hit next, make sure Role Based or feature based installation is selected and hit next again. You’ll be met with the following screen asking to select the server for installation. In our situation, since we only have one server in the pool, just make sure its selected and hit next. In cases where you have multiple servers in the pool, this is where you can select a different server to install on if desired.

Next select Active Directory Domain Service and click “Add Feature” in the next pop up

Next DNS Server needs to be selected. In our current status, we never set up a static IP address. Oh no! We forgot the last requirement! Here is what you’ll see if you forgot to do that. This is highly advised to do, as without it the IP address could change from your DHCP server on your router or other source. When connecting computers to the AD if the IP Address for the AD server changes you’ll run into trouble. So make sure to do this step before proceeding.

Now keep clicking next till you get to the final prompt and hit install. This will take some time to install. So have some coffee, tea, or whatever suits your fancy. I know you’re excited and on the edge of your seat. The anticipation growing. When its done click on promote to domain controller.

Next you’ll see:

select Add a new forest and type in a domain name for the forest. This is how it’s “referenced”. For example, you could do something like “server.local”

After hitting next type in the password you want in the field. Then click next and click next again on the window for DNS delegation. Let it populate automatically for the NETBIOS name. Click next again. Here you can change to placement of logs, etc. I’ll just leave them at default values. Keep hitting next till you get to “Install” and click that button. The setup will take some time as well.

After it’s done make sure to restart.

Done! Good job 🙂