How to Configure Active Directory on Windows Server 8

Introduction

"Active Directory (AD) is a directory service created by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Server computers that run Active Directory are called domain controllers.

Active Directory provides a central location for network administration and security. It authenticates and authorizes all users and computers in a Windows domain type network—assigning and enforcing security policies for all computers and installing or updating software. For example, when a user logs into a computer that is part of a Windows domain, Active Directory verifies the password and specifies whether the user is a system administrator or normal user."* - Wikipedia.com

In this wiki. you will learn how to configure Active Directory in Windows Server 8 Beta
 

Configuring Active Directory Step by Step.

Note: For seasoned windows Administrators. DcPromo is gone.

Part 1. Installing Active Directory Services

Step 1. Open and Login to Windows Server 8.

Windows will automatically open Server Dashboard by default.

Figure 1. Windows Server 8 Opening screen

Step 2. Click Add Roles and Features

Figure 2.  Add Roles and Features Wizard

Step 3. Click Next. Chose "Role-based or feature-based installation"

Figure 3. Installation Type.

Step 4. Select server.

Figure 4. Server Selection.

Step 5. Choose Active Directory Domain Services

Step 6. Click Add Features. Click Next until you reach AD DS.

Figure 6.  Active Directory Domain Services

Step 7. Click Next. Click Install.

Figure 7. Confirmation

Step 8. Click Close to finish the installation.

Part 2. Configuring Active Directory Services.

Step 9. Click on the flag to see additional "task". Promote the Server to Domain Controller.

Figure 9. Promote the server to Domain Controller.

Step 10. Click Add a New Forest and enter your Domain Name. Click Next.

Step 11. Un-check DNS Server option. Type the Directory restore mode password. Then click Next.

Step 12. Enter NetBIOS name.

Step 13. Paths

Step 14. Review Options

Step 15. Pre-Requisite Check. Click Install

Step 16. Installation

Step 17. Computer restarts to complete Active Directory installation.

Step 18. Login to your first Domain Controller