Active Directory: Episode1 - Installing a first Domain Controller in Server 2019

Summary

In this video, Andrew provides an introductory guide to installing and using Active Directory on Windows Server 2019. He walks viewers through the process of configuring the DNS settings, adding roles and features, and promoting a server to a domain controller. The tutorial covers creating a new forest, setting up a domain, and managing user accounts in a test environment. Andrew emphasizes the importance of hands-on Active Directory experience for career opportunities, particularly for students seeking jobs. Future videos will explore additional topics such as joining computers to the domain, group policies, and folder permissions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Active Directory is essential experience for students seeking employment in IT, as employers often look for this skill.
• 😀 This video series focuses on the practical steps to install and configure Active Directory, rather than theoretical explanations.
• 😀 The installation takes place in a virtual environment (AWS in this case) using Windows Server 2019.
• 😀 Before installing Active Directory, you need to configure the DNS settings to point to the server itself using the loopback address (127.0.0.1).
• 😀 Server Manager is used to install Active Directory Domain Services, and all required prerequisites are added automatically during the installation process.
• 😀 After installation, the server must be promoted to a domain controller. This includes creating a new forest and setting the domain name (e.g., test.local).
• 😀 The installation automatically installs DNS on the server, making it a simple process with minimal user intervention.
• 😀 The Directory Services Restore Mode password is crucial and should be securely stored, as it allows the system to be restored in safe mode.
• 😀 The server is rebooted after the installation completes, and users can log in using domain accounts (e.g., test\administrator).
• 😀 After the domain controller is up and running, Active Directory can be accessed to manage users, groups, and domain configurations.
• 😀 Future videos will demonstrate more advanced Active Directory tasks, such as adding additional domain controllers, joining computers to the domain, and configuring group policies.

Q & A

What is the first step before installing Active Directory on Windows Server 2019?

The first step is to configure the DNS adapter to point back to itself using the loopback address (127.0.0.1). This ensures that the server can resolve its own IP addresses during the Active Directory installation.

Why is it necessary to point the DNS server to the loopback address during Active Directory installation?

Pointing the DNS server to the loopback address is necessary because the server, being a domain controller, needs to resolve its own service (domain) names to IP addresses for proper configuration and operation.

How does the user install Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2019?

To install Active Directory Domain Services, the user opens *Server Manager*, goes to *Manage > Add Roles and Features*, selects the *Active Directory Domain Services* role, and follows the prompts to complete the installation, including adding necessary prerequisites.

What should be done after installing Active Directory Domain Services?

After the installation, the server must be promoted to a domain controller. This involves selecting the option to promote the server and configuring a new forest and domain.

What is the significance of the 'Directory Services Restore Mode' password?

The 'Directory Services Restore Mode' password is used for booting the system in safe mode and restoring directory services in case of failure. It is crucial to remember this password in production environments for disaster recovery purposes.

What is a NetBIOS domain name, and why is it required?

The NetBIOS domain name is a legacy name used for network communication. It is important for identifying the domain controller in older network environments or applications that rely on NetBIOS, but it can be left as default if not needed.

Can the domain name be customized during the setup of Active Directory?

Yes, the domain name can be customized. In the video, the domain name 'test.local' was used as an example, but any name can be chosen as long as it doesn’t conflict with existing domains in a production environment.

What is the role of DNS during the Active Directory setup?

DNS is crucial during the setup because Active Directory relies on DNS for name resolution. The installation automatically configures DNS on the domain controller to handle service lookups within the domain.

How does the installation process handle error or warning notifications?

During the installation process, the system performs a prerequisite check. If any issues arise, they are displayed as warnings or notifications. The installation can proceed if the issues are non-critical or require no immediate action.

What happens after the server is promoted to a domain controller?

After the server is promoted to a domain controller, it becomes the primary domain controller for the new domain. The user can then log in using domain credentials, and the Active Directory environment is ready for further configuration, such as adding users and managing domain settings.