How to Install Domain Controller in Windows Server 2022
Installing a domain controller in Windows Server 2022 is a critical step in setting up a robust and secure network infrastructure. Domain controllers are responsible for managing user accounts, permissions, and security policies within an Active Directory domain. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing a domain controller in Windows Server 2022, ensuring that your network is ready to support your organization’s needs.
Step 1: Preparing the Server
Before you begin the installation process, ensure that your server meets the following requirements:
1. A server with a supported hardware configuration.
2. A static IP address and a DNS server configured.
3. A minimum of 512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended).
4. A disk with at least 300 MB of free space for the system drive.
5. The latest Windows Server 2022 installation media or ISO file.
Step 2: Installing the Windows Server 2022
1. Boot your server from the Windows Server 2022 installation media or ISO file.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows Server 2022.
3. During the installation, select the “Server Core” installation option to minimize the attack surface.
4. Complete the installation process and restart the server.
Step 3: Installing the Domain Controller Role
1. Log in to the server with an administrator account.
2. Open Server Manager, and click on “Add roles and features.”
3. In the “Add Roles and Features Wizard,” select “Role-based or feature-based installation” and click “Next.”
4. Choose the server from the list of servers and click “Next.”
5. In the “Select server roles” section, scroll down and select “Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).”
6. Click “Next” to review the selections and then click “Install” to begin the installation process.
Step 4: Promoting the Server to a Domain Controller
1. Once the installation is complete, open the “Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard” by searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Click “Next” on the welcome page.
3. Select the server you want to promote as the domain controller and click “Next.”
4. Choose the “Add a new forest” option and enter the root domain name for your organization (e.g., example.com). Click “Next.”
5. Specify the forest functional level (Windows Server 2022) and click “Next.”
6. Choose the domain functional level (Windows Server 2022) and click “Next.”
7. Configure the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password and click “Next.”
8. Review the settings and click “Next” to begin the promotion process.
9. Once the promotion is complete, you will be prompted to restart the server.
Step 5: Configuring the Domain Controller
1. After the server restarts, log in to the domain controller with an administrator account.
2. Open Server Manager and click on “Tools.”
3. Select “Active Directory Users and Computers” to manage users, groups, and computers within the domain.
4. Open “Active Directory Domain Controllers” to view and manage domain controllers.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed a domain controller in Windows Server 2022. Your network is now ready to support user accounts, permissions, and security policies within your Active Directory domain.
