How to Promote a Server to a Domain Controller 2019
In the realm of Windows Server management, promoting a server to a domain controller is a critical task that involves configuring a server to become a central authority for user and computer authentication within a network. This process is essential for setting up a domain-based network environment, which is particularly useful for large-scale organizations. In this article, we will delve into the step-by-step process of promoting a server to a domain controller in Windows Server 2019.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the promotion process, it is important to understand the basics of a domain controller. A domain controller is a server that authenticates and authorizes all users and computers in a Windows domain. It is responsible for managing user accounts, security policies, and network resources. In Windows Server 2019, there are two types of domain controllers: primary domain controller (PDC) and global catalog server (GC).
Preparation Steps
Before promoting a server to a domain controller, ensure that you have completed the following preparation steps:
1. Install Windows Server 2019 on the server you wish to promote.
2. Configure the server with a static IP address.
3. Set the time synchronization with an external time server to ensure accurate timestamps.
4. Install the necessary server roles and features, such as the Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and DNS server roles.
Step-by-Step Promotion Process
Once the preparation steps are completed, follow these steps to promote the server to a domain controller:
1. Open Server Manager and navigate to the “Add roles and features” option.
2. In the “Add roles and features” wizard, select “Role-based or feature-based installation” and click “Next.”
3. On the “Select destination server” page, choose the server you want to promote and click “Next.”
4. In the “Select server roles” page, scroll down and select “Active Directory Domain Services” and click “Next.”
5. On the “Select features” page, ensure that the “DNS Server” feature is selected and click “Next.”
6. Review the selections on the “Review and install features” page and click “Install.”
7. Once the installation is complete, click “Close.”
8. After the installation, open the “Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard” by typing “dcpromo” in the command prompt.
9. In the wizard, select “Add a new forest” and enter the root domain name (e.g., mycompany.com) and click “Next.”
10. Specify the forest functional level and domain functional level, and click “Next.”
11. Choose the location for the database, log files, and SYSVOL folder, and click “Next.”
12. Review the settings on the “Summary” page and click “Next.”
13. The wizard will start the installation process. Once the installation is complete, the server will be promoted to a domain controller.
14. Restart the server to finalize the changes.
Post-Promotion Tasks
After promoting the server to a domain controller, complete the following tasks:
1. Update the DNS records for the new domain controller.
2. Join other servers and workstations to the domain.
3. Configure group policies for user and computer accounts.
4. Test the authentication process to ensure that everything is working correctly.
Promoting a server to a domain controller in Windows Server 2019 is a crucial step in setting up a robust and secure network environment. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can successfully promote a server to a domain controller and lay the foundation for a well-managed domain-based network.
