VBO Wiki

2.Domen Controller (Active Directory)

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Step 0: Take a “Snapshot” — Rule #1

You’re an admin. Admins are paranoid. Before we change anything, we save.

  1. In the VirtualBox window (at top): Machine → Take Snapshot.
  2. Name it: Clean Install.
  3. Now, if you break something, you can roll back here in 2 seconds.

Step 1: Proper Name (Identity)

By default the server is called WIN-394857.... That’s unprofessional.

  1. In Windows Server press Win + X → System.
  2. Click Rename this PC (Advanced).
  3. Enter name: SRV-DC01 (Standard: SRV = Server, DC = Domain Controller, 01 = first).
  4. Click OK. Restart.

Step 2: Static IP

A server cannot have a “floating” IP address. Clients (employee computers) must know the exact address of the “Boss”. As a programmer: imagine hardcoding the database address in the config.

  1. In VirtualBox make sure the network settings show “Bridged Adapter” — this way the server gets an IP from your home router and is “alive” in your home network.
  2. In Windows Server press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl.
  3. Right-click on the adapter → Properties.
  4. Select IPv4 → Properties.
  5. Switch to “Use the following IP address”.
    • To know which numbers to enter: On the host machine open command prompt, type ipconfig. Look at your IP and Gateway.
    • Example: If your router is 192.168.0.1, give the server:
      • IP address: 192.168.0.200 (pick a high number so it doesn’t conflict with a phone).
      • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 (fills in automatically).
      • Default Gateway: 192.168.0.1 (IP of your router).
      • DNS: 127.0.0.1 (VERY IMPORTANT! The server will ask itself, since it will become its own DNS server).

Step 3: Installing the AD DS Role

  1. Open Server Manager (it’s usually open by itself).
  2. Click “Add roles and features” in the center.
  3. Click Next, Next, Next (select our server SRV-DC01).
  4. In the roles list, check: Active Directory Domain Services.
    • It will ask “Add features?” — click Add Features.
  5. Click Next all the way to the end and Install.
  6. Wait for the progress bar to finish.

Step 4: “Promoting” the Server (Configuration)

Installing the role is just copying files. Now we need to activate it.

  1. In Server Manager at the top right, a yellow triangle ⚠️ (flag) will appear. Click it.
  2. Click the link: “Promote this server to a domain controller”.
  3. A configuration wizard opens. This is the most important moment!
    • Choose option: Add a new forest (We’re creating a new organization from scratch).
    • Root domain name: Think of a name. For local tests, .local or .lan is used.
      • Type: vbo.local (or any other).
  4. Click Next.
  5. Create a password for DSRM (recovery mode). Enter the same as the admin password so you don’t forget it.
  6. Click Next, Next, Next (don’t worry about the DNS warning).
  7. It will check “Prerequisites”. If all checkmarks are green — click Install.
  8. The server will restart automatically. Note: The first boot will be long (5-10 minutes), it’s creating the database.

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