Now, before we proceed with the creation of Domain controller (also known as DC) on the Windows Dedicated Servers, I would like to provide some information about Domain controller.

What is Domain controller ?

The Security Authentication requests i.e. checking permissions, logging in etc. are responded by the Domain controller on the Windows Dedicated Servers. You can also call it as a server which functions within the server.

Creating Domain controller in a Domain :

Important : Now, before we start, let me tell you that I am writing this tutorial keeping in mind that you have Windows Server 2003 as operating system for your Windows Dedicated Servers. The reason for this is, this amazing feature is available in Windows Server 2003 operating system.

Purpose for creating Domain Controller in a Domain.

You must be wondering why we are creating a Domain controller in a Domain. Let me explain more about this. Basically, the features are much more than I am explaining, however, we are taking the basic part into perspective.

The domain in the Domain controller can store the login usernames and the passwords on computers i.e. several Domain Controllers or on one single central computer i.e. Domain controller.

Note : This tutorial will provide you with information for creating first Domain controller in the Domain on your Windows Dedicated Server Hosting.

Important : DNS can be hosted on different server also, however, as we creating Domain controller in the domain for the first time, the installation procedure of the DNS is also included.

Reason : If the DNS is not installed, the computers of the clients will not get any information about the Domain controller.

Now, you need to follow the steps given below :

1. Login to your Windows Dedicated Servers using Remote Desktop Protocol (as this is the best method).

2. Click Start (this button is to the bottom left of the screen on the desktop) and then open Run from the various options available.

3. Now, in the column provided, type "dcpromo" and press Enter.

4. On the screen, you will see a window which says, "Welcome to the Active Directory Installation Wizard". You can click Next and proceed.

5. Once you click Next, you will find another window on the screen. Now, you will get 2 options. Select the first option out of the 2. The option selected should be "Domain Controller for a new Domain".

6. Click Next again.

Note : You will get 3 options now.

7. Select the first option with the Title as "Domain in a new Forest".

Reason for selecting the first option : This is the first Domain controller. Make sure that you keep this option selected.

8. The next step is to select a name for a domain as this is very important.

Important : You must have a domain such as "yourdomain.com". You may want to use this domain as it is easy to remember. However, it is suggested that you do not keep this domain as it is might be possible that the computers within the domain may not be able to reach the domain on the internet. Another important point :

It is not necessary that the domains in the Active Directory are real domains on the internet which exist, hence, you can enter any name for them according to your choice. You can keep it as "yourdomain.nextdomain".

9. Now comes the very important point. I am trying to keep things simple for you and hence I would recommend you to keep the first part of the domain i.e. yourdomain (this is for example purpose only).

10. The first part of the domain we have selected is for the NetBIOS of the domain and make sure that this should be selected as default.

11. Once you come on the next dialog, you will find that it suggests you to keep the AD database and log stored in different hard disks. We should do this, however, to make it simple for you, I keep it as default only.

12. AD has a lot of features (which has been mentioned before) and this is the reason for which things like .MSI software packages can be kept in SYSVOL folder which is basically a public share folder when the packages are distributed.

13. I am mentioning this again, to keep things simple, I will keep the default one, however, this can be changed as per your convenience i.e. if you would like to use the space of the other drive.

14. This is one of the main points of this tutorial as you will be prompted that it is important to install and configure DNS in order to make sure that our test domain which is "yourdomain.nextdomain" is reachable.

Note : DNS can be installed on another server also, however, we are installing DNS on this server as this is a tutorial.

15. For this purpose, "Install and Configure" which is the default selection should be kept selected and you should only click on Next to proceed.

16. As we are considering this tutorial for Windows server 2003 only, we need to make sure that there are no Windows 2000 operating system based servers accessing this domain. For this purpose, you should select the 2nd option on this window which is titled as "Permissions compatible with Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 operating systems". Once you are done with this, simply click Next.

17. When it comes to passwords, we always try to keep it simple for us and difficult for others. This is what you should do now. You have to do this because it is time to keep the restore mode password which is a single one and can be used by all the administrators.

Important : This password is important as this can save a server which might fail.

18. Now comes the time when you will see what’s gonna happen within a short time. This is one of the most important face and you should make sure that all’s correct as if it isn’t, changing it in future can be very difficult at times.

19. It is the time you will have to do what you have done many times i.e. click Next and watch the process going on. Some time might be required for this.

Reason : Some time will be required as you might be prompted by your Windows Dedicated Servers to insert the CD for Windows 2003 operating system which is for DNS. Hence, keep it in your hand.

20. If the IP address of your computer is a IP address which has been assigned dynamically which is from DHCP offcourse, you will be asked to provide a static IP address (also known as dedicated IP address). Click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" after you have clicked "OK" previously which is in the Local area connection properties. Finally, select "Properties".

21. It is time for you to select the information you will be using for your domain after you select "Use the following IP address" in the next window.

Note : With the information you will use for your domain, it is also important to enter 127.0.0.1 for the primary DNS. The reason you will have to do this is the fact that your computer will host DNS.

22. Now it is the moment of joy.

The reason for this, you will see that we have completed it successfully and the Active Directory Installation Wizard will be completed.