Today we will learn about how to promote a domain controller. Once the system is ready for the promotion of domain controller, if you want to learn how to prepare the system for Domain Controller promotion, please first read the following article/blog of mine.
So, to promote a server to domain controller, after completion of the prereqs for it, you will get notified in the server manager which will give the message "Promote this server to Domain Controller".
Click on the Blue link "Promote this server to a domain controller", once clicked the promotion wizard will open.
Domain Controller is the system that is the father of the organizational network. It controls all the machines and network management. For this, first of all, we need to make a forest.
What is a Forest?
Forest can easily be defined as the collection of domains, and the container that holds multiple domains within it.
So, to make this network-first domain controller, we will select Add a Forest from the above wizard and give the forest a name, the forest is also known as the root domain of the network.
For now, let us consider "dc.pk" as the domain name. Click next.
Clicking next will take you to the next screen at the wizard, which is about Domain Controller Options. In here, Forest Functional level and Domain Functional Level are the critical concepts to be understood.
Let us talk about both of them, Forest Functional Level is the lowest version of Server operating system within the forest. Let's say we choose Server 2012 R2 as Forest Functional Level, it means that all over the network the lowest version of OS that can be part of the network will be Server 2012R2, irrespective of how many domains a network has, this functional level applies all over the forest.
Let us say the organization operates in multiple domains, for understanding let us consider that my organization operates in Travel and Cargo services, for both services different computers are there, but within the single forest, for now, let's say "ME Travels".
Domain Functional Level helps us decide which is the lowest version of the server operating system that will be managing the system within each domain. I hope it is much clearer now.
Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) Password?
These services help us protect the documents and the directory services for your organization. With the help of the password, this password is set by the owner so that no one in the organization can access the exported or stolen assets or data of the organization. It will require a password to access successfully. After Setting a password and functional level for the root domain click Next.
As it is the first computer of the domain hence no DNS Delegation is required, for now, click next.
NetBios is defined as a path for the domain, the left side for the domain "dc.pk" DC is the NetBIOS name of the Domain. Click next.
Now, the wizard shows us the path for a database of the domain, the log files of the domain, and the SysVol of the domain. Whereas Database is a well-known thing. But let me tell you that log files are storing the events that happen within the OS and the SysVol are the maintained ones of the saved password within the system.
Click Next.
It will show all the options that you have selected so far to review; once you have done so, click Next.
Once the Prerequisites Check is passed, Click Install.
After some time the system will restart.
After Restart, the system will be a Domain Controller.
You will log in and see the local server.
Now, it's the Domain Controller for the domain "dc.pk".
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