In this article, I will walk through adding the first Windows 2012 R2 Domain Controller in a new forest.
Before promoting the server, you should make sure a static IP address is assigned to the server.
1. From Server Manager select “Add Roles and Features”.
2. Click “Next” on the “Before you begin” screen.
3. Installation Type.
Select “Role based or feature-based installation and click “Next”
4. Server Selection.
Select the server and click “Next”. Unless you have added additional servers to server manager you should only see one server listed.
5. Server Roles.
Select “Active Directory Domain Services” on the Server Roles page. You will get a pop up to add features that are required for Active Directory Domain Services, click “Add Features” and then click “Next”
6. On the features page click “Next”. No changes are needed on this page.
7. On the AD DS page click “Next” This is just an informational page.
8. On the confirmation page click “Next”. If you want the server to reboot automatically select the box “Restart the destination server automatically if required”
At this point, Active Directory Domain Services should be installing. This will take a few minutes.
You must look at the progress bar and the text below it to know when the install is complete. Once it is complete click the close button.
9. Promote to a Domain Controller.
Now that the required services are installed we can promote the server to a Domain Controller. Back in Server Manager, you will see a yellow triangle at the top right that needs to be clicked. In the message details click “Promote this server to a domain controller”
10. Select “Add a new forest” and enter Root domain name.
I now get the “Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard”. Since this is the first Domain Controller I will select “Add a new forest” In the Root domain name: I will enter ad.winadpro.com and click “Next”
11. Domain Controller Options.
Since this is our first 2012 R2 DC in the forest I’m going to leave the forest and domain functional level at Windows Server 2012 R2. NOTE: If you are adding an additional domain controller to an existing forest you need to understand what functional level to set. I will enter in a password for the Directory Services Restore Mode and click next.
NOTE: Directory Services Restore MODE (DSRM) allows an administrator to repair or recover an Active Directory Database.
12. DNS Options.
You will most likely receive the error below that says “A delegation for this DNS server cannot be created….” This is common. The wizard is trying to contact the nameservers for the domain I entered winadpro.com and is unable to create a delegation for the sub-domain ad.winadpro.com. This message can be ignored if you don’t need computers from the outside of the network to be able to resolve names within your domain. More info on this error https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754463(WS.10).aspx
13. Additional Options.
Enter the NetBois domain name on the additional options page. I would recommend making this the same as your root domain name. In my case the NetBois name would be winadpro. There are several restrictions on creating a NetBios name, more details here https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/909264
14. Paths.
Enter the desired folder settings and click “Next” I personally stick with the default folder settings.
15. Review options and click “Next”.
16. Prerequisites check.
You should get a green check at the top indicating all prerequisites passed. Click “Install”
17. Reboot and verify.
Once the Active Directory Domain Services install and configuration is complete you will need to reboot. This completes the install and configuration of adding a Windows 2012 R2 domain controller to a new forest. If you want to verify your install and health of the Domain Controller run dcdiag /v from the command line.