How to set up Active Directory Domain Services In Windows Server 2022?

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To set up Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in Windows Server 2022, follow the detailed steps below. I’ll guide you through configuring a static IP address, installing AD DS, and promoting your server to a domain controller.

Step 1: Set Up a Static IP Address

1. Open Network Settings:
   • Open Control Panel > Network and Internet.
     
   • Click on Network and Sharing Center.
     
2. Configure Ethernet Settings:
   • In the Network and Sharing Center, click on Ethernet.
     
   • In the Ethernet Status window, click on Properties.
3. Set Static IP Address:
   • In the Ethernet Properties, scroll down and select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties.
   • In the IPv4 Properties window:
     • Check your ip-address in CMD using “ipconfig” command.
       
     • You can set the same Ip address in properties section.
     • Enter the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway. Make sure this is consistent with your network configuration.
       
     • Enter the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server if required.
   • Click OK to save your settings.
   • Close the Ethernet Properties window.

Step 2: Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

1. Open Server Manager:
   • Click on Start and open Server Manager.
     
2. Add Roles and Features:
   • In Server Manager, click on Manage in the upper-right corner, and select Add Roles and Features.
     
   • Click Next to proceed through the Before You Begin screen.
3. Select Installation Type:
   • Choose Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.
     
4. Select the Server:
   • Ensure your server is selected from the Server Pool and click Next.
     
5. Select Server Roles:
   • Scroll down and select Active Directory Domain Services.
   • A window will pop up asking if you want to add the features required for AD DS; click Add Features.
     
   • Scroll down further and select DNS Server, then click Add Features.
     
   • Click Next to proceed.
6. Feature Selection:
   • Leave the default features selected and click Next.
7. Confirm Installation Selections:
   • Review your selections. You can opt to check Restart the destination server automatically if required.
     
   • Click Install and wait for the installation to complete.
     
8. Promote to Domain Controller:
   • Once the installation is finished, click on Promote this server to a domain controller.
     

Step 3: Promote Server to Domain Controller

1. Deployment Configuration:
   • In the Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard, select Add a new forest.
   • Enter your Root domain name (e.g., home.local) and click Next.
     
   • Set your Password.
     
2. DNS Options:
   • On the DNS Options screen, IGNORE the Create DNS delegation option and click Next.
     
3. Additional Options:
   • The NetBIOS name will be automatically generated based on your domain name. You can modify it if necessary, but usually, the default is fine. Click Next.
     
4. Paths:
   • Leave the Database, Log files, and SYSVOL paths at their default locations unless you have a specific reason to change them. Click Next.
     
5. Review and Install:
   • Review all the settings in the Review Options page. If everything looks correct, click Next.
     
   • The wizard will perform a Prerequisites Check. If no critical issues are found, you can proceed with the installation by clicking Install.
     
6. Final Steps:
   • The server will automatically restart after the installation is complete.

Step 4: Verify AD DS Installation

1. Post-Restart:
   • After the server restarts, log in with your domain credentials.
2. Check AD DS Status:
   • Open Server Manager and check that AD DS is listed and showing as healthy in the dashboard.
     
3. Confirm DNS Configuration:
   • Ensure that the DNS server is correctly configured to handle your domain.

You now have a Windows Server 2022 machine set up as a domain controller with Active Directory Domain Services. This is the foundation for managing a network of computers within your domain.