Introduction to Active Directory
Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is Microsoft's directory service for Windows domain networks. This guide covers the fundamental concepts and setup process.
Prerequisites
- Windows Server 2016/22/25
- Administrator account
- Patience
Installation Steps
-
Install AD DS Role
Open Server Manager and add the Active Directory Domain Services role, or run the following in an Elevated PowerShell window
PowerShellInstall-WindowsFeature AD-Domain-Services -IncludeManagementTools -
Promote Server to Domain Controller
Configure your server as a domain controller using DCPROMO or click the balloon in Server Manager
-
Configure DNS Settings
Ensure proper DNS configuration for your domain
If you skip this, the Windows PC MUST have the DNS server set to the DC
Common Tasks
- Creating and managing users
- Setting up organizational units (OUs)
- Implementing group policies
- Managing security groups
- Regular backups of system state
Best Practices
- Plan OU structure carefully
- Monitor Active Directory health
- Implement proper password policies
- Regular backups of system state