Installing domain controllers

Once the TCP/IP networking is set up and working, the next step to tackle is installing the domain controllers. In a Windows Active Directory domain, the domain controllers can be viewed as the core of the network. Domain controllers provide user authentication, group policy information, time synchronization, and access to Active Directory objects. Additionally, domain controllers often provide several network services such as DNS, DHCP, certificate services, and more.

This recipe will set up and install the first domain controller, creating a new domain in a new forest. Once completed, the second domain controller will be remotely installed and promoted. Additionally, we will install DNS on both domain controllers to provide name resolution services.

Getting ready

This recipe assumes a server and networking configuration setup similar to the prior recipe. We will be working with newly installed servers without any additional roles or software installed. To complete...