The next step is to spin up a Windows Server 2016 Domain Controller – this will provide DNS and Active Directory.

I provisioned the VM with 2GB RAM, 1 Processor and a 50GB HDD (this may need tweaking but should be enough to get started) and I have mapped the ISO.  When you deploy the Server make sure you set a complex password for the Administrator account before starting the AD configuration as it will “promote” your local administrator account to a Domain Admin.

Windows Update
The first thing Im going to do is run an Update (as this Server will not be connected to the Internet after this point).  At the moment it is connected as Host-Only, so I need to change that to Bridged

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Things have moved around a bit since the last version, so i did a search for Updates and kicked those off.

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Networking
Now to change the Network to Host Only – I have created VMNET1 for all my VMs to operate on, so change this in the VM’s Settings

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Then, I need to configure a Static IP on the Server (I also disabled IPv6) – NOTE you need to add a DNS Server address (of itself) otherwise this will fail the prerequisite check during final installation.Screen Shot 2017-03-09 at 16.01.48

Rename Server
Now need to rename my Server to what i want it to be called

Right Click This PC, Select Properties

Under Computer name, domain and workgroup settings – Select Change Settings

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Select Change and give the Server a name – once complete it will require a reboot

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Active Directory
To install and configure AD, Click Start and select Server Manager

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Select Add roles and features

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On the Add Roles and Features Wizard page select Next (I always Tick the Skip this page by default box)

Select Role-based or feature-based installation

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Ensure the Server is selected and Click Next

Tick Active Directory Domain Services and select Add Features on the Pop up window

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Select Next and Ensure .NET 4.6 Is Enabled and Click Next again a few times

I ticked Restart the destination server automatically if required option and Selected Install

Once that is complete, select Promote this server to a domain controller

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I will be setting up a New Forest called lab.com

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Now Im going to setup the functional levels as Windows Server 2016 as i wont be running any server with an older OS.

I want to ensure DNS is Ticked and enter a Restore Mode Password (complex required)

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Now i will select the following defaults:

  • I don’t require DNS Delegation
  • Im happy with the default NetBIOS Name
  • AD Database defaults are all fine
  • Im happy with the review of the config

I have a few Warnings in my Pre-requisites check but nothing to worry about – now click Install – after a reboot the Server will be back up and ready to go

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