Promoting Your Server to a Domain Controller
Open Server Manager:
If closed, relaunch “Server Manager” Check for a yellow triangle warning sign near the menu bar, indicating that Active Directory Domain Services was installed.
Access Post-Deployment Configuration :
Click on the warning sign. A dropdown list with required actions (“post-deployment configuration”) will appear.
Choose “Promote this Server”:
Look for the option “Promote this server to a domain controller” Click on it to initiate the promotion process.
![../../_images/1.png](../../_images/1.png)
Add A Forest
At this checkpoint, a configuration wizard will open on your screen, which will guide you throughout your deployment configuration. The first step of the deployment configuration is to add a new forest.
Deployment Configuration
Select “Add a New Forest”:
At the “Deployment Configuration” checkpoint, choose the radio button labeled “Add a new forest” Enter Root Domain Name:
Input your desired root domain name into the provided field. Proceed to Next Step:
Click on the “Next” button to move forward in the setup process.
![../../_images/2.png](../../_images/2.png)
Setting Domain Controller options
Proceed to “Domain Controller Options”:
At the “Domain Controller Options” checkpoint, move ahead in the setup process. Leave Settings Untouched:
Do not make any changes to the existing settings; keep them as they are. Set and Confirm Password:
Enter your desired password and confirm it in the respective fields. Remember to keep a note of this password, as changing it later can be inconvenient.
![../../_images/3.png](../../_images/3.png)
Configuring DNS Options
Navigate to DNS Options:
Move to the DNS Options page in the setup process.
Ignore Error Message:
Encounter an error message stating there’s no parent zone found and no delegation for your DNS server could be created. Click “Next”:
Disregard the error message and proceed by clicking the “Next” button. Leave Settings Unchanged:
Do not make any alterations to the settings at this checkpoint.
![../../_images/4.png](../../_images/4.png)
Configure Additional Options
Enter your desired NetBIOS domain name in the given textbox. Click “Next”.
![../../_images/5.png](../../_images/5.png)
Confirm Preselected Paths
Three or more paths will be listed on your screen. Do not change these paths. You’re not required to keep a note of these paths either. Click “next”.
![../../_images/6.png](../../_images/6.png)
Review your Selections
Check Selected Options :
Look at the options listed on the configuration wizard at the “Review Options” checkpoint. Navigate Back if Needed:
If changes are necessary, use the “Previous” button to go back to relevant checkpoints and make desired adjustments. Ensure Satisfaction:
Confirm that you are satisfied with the selected options. Proceed to “Review Options”:
Once content with the choices, click the “Next” button on the “Review Options” section.
![../../_images/7.png](../../_images/7.png)
Run Prerequisites Check
Go to “Prerequisites Check”:
Navigate to the “Prerequisites Check” checkpoint. Check Completion Status:
Verify if all prerequisite checks were successfully completed. Identify Errors (If Any):
If errors are present, a list of errors will be displayed. Fix Errors:
Go to the stated checkpoint for each error and make necessary fixes. Verify Success:
Once errors are fixed, a green check mark with a success message will be displayed.
Initiate Installation:
Click the “Install” button to commence the installation process.
![../../_images/8.png](../../_images/8.png)
Congratulations! You have successfully set up Active Directory on your Windows Server 2022. Next, your server machine will need to be restarted once the promotion is successfully complete.
How to connect a client-server to a Domain controller
Connect Client Server VM → Start → Server Manger → Local Server → Click on WORKGROUP
![../../_images/21.png](../../_images/21.png)
Now Click on Change
![../../_images/22.png](../../_images/22.png)
Now add the Domain name which we promote as a server in Domain Controller server and ok.
![../../_images/23.png](../../_images/23.png)
Click OK in the Computer Name/Domain Changes dialog box, and then restart the computer.
![../../_images/11.png](../../_images/11.png)
Once you have configured the client machine to the controller machine, you can verify the same on controller machine using the provided path.
Server manager → Tools → Active directory users and computers → Domain controller
![../../_images/12.png](../../_images/12.png)
To verify the same in the client machine, access the client machine and navigate to the Network & Internet settings.
![../../_images/13.png](../../_images/13.png)