We now know the features and requirements of server 2012, how to install it, how to navigate in server and how to change its default name. So let’s go a step further and install the 3 most important features of Windows Server 2012 Active Directory, DHCP and DNS server. Since we are installing 3 things at once, this will be a long post.
Active Directory is the single most powerful thing that can make your life easier. Through Active Directory, any server administrator can secure his network and give access to resources using just a click in the GUI. Active Directory also helps in sharing resources in a network. No need to remember commands so no chances of messing up. Everything is in front of you, just select a domain and set its permissions. This is why many MNCs have Windows Server 2012.
Installing DHCP in Windows server is only a two-step process. Installing and not configuring. Everything is infront of you in GUI, so click, click and DHCP server is installed. Same goes for DNS.
So lets see how to install Active Directory, DHCP and DNS servers in Windows Server 2012.
- On the top right corner, click on Manage and select Add Roles and Features.
Manage –> Add Roles and Features.
- Server Installation Wizard.
This will tell you some basic prerequisites before installing anything.Make sure you complete them.
This page will appear everytime, if you don’t want to see it, you can select the check box at the bottom ‘Skip this page by default’.
Click on next
- In Installation type, select Role-based or Feature based installation.
Select Role-based or feature based installation
- In server choice, you’ll see a list of servers if you’re working in a company.
Here, since we have only one server by default it is selected .
Select the target server, where you want to install.
- Server Rules. This is where we select the servers we want to install.
Since we are installing three servers at once, we will go step by step for each server.
First select Active Directory Domain Servers.
Check Active Directory Domain Services.
Server Manager will now show you the features and tools needed by Active Directory Domain Services.
Click on Add Features.add features
- Select DHCP server and click on next.
Select DHCP server
Again you’ll see a list of tools needed by DHCP server. Click on Add Features.
Add DHCP features
If you didn’t configure a Static IP, you’ll get this warning.
You can however go ahead with this since no domains are going to connect directly to the Server as soon as it is installed. We also need to configure it. Click on Continue.Static IP warning. Click on continue.
- Select DNS server and click on Next.
Select DNS server
Click on Add Features.
Add features
You’ll again see the Static IP warning.
For time being you can ignore these warnings. We can resolve it while configuring the Servers.
Static IP warning. Click on continue.
- Select the features you wish to install.
Add other features if you want to.
- Here you’ll see more information and things to note about Active Directory Domain Services.
Summary of Active Directory
- Information about DHCP server.
Summary of DHCP
- Information about DNS server.
Summary of DNS
- Confirmation step. In this step you’ll see a summary of everything that is going to be installed in this server.
Check the tools, features and then click Install.
Confirm
- You can view the installation process here. Click on Close.
Click on close
- Once you have installed any server, it will appear left menu below ‘All Servers’.
Installed features and roles.
- On the top right corner before ‘Manage’ you will see a flag with Yellow sign.
These are warnings telling the Administrator that configuration of these servers are pending.
We will see in next posts!
Warnings.
