How to setup a Server Core Domain Controller?

Here are some steps on setting up a Server Core as a Domain Controller.

1. Setup a static IP address

At the command prompt, type

netsh interface ipv4 show interface

Make sure to write down the Idx number of the Network adapter that you want to setup a static IP address to.

Now, type at the command prompt

netsh interface ipv4 set address name=”<Idx number>” source=static address=<Your Static IP> mask=<The Subnet Mask> gateway=<The Default Gateway>”

2. Rename Host name

At the command prompt,

netdom renamecomputer <Old Computer Name> /NewName:<New Computer Name>

* Note: To find out your current computer name you can type ‘whoami’ at the command prompt

3. Create an Unattend.txt file

At the command prompt, type

notepad c:\unattend.txt

This will open up the Notepad application and if the unattend.txt doesn’t exists, it will give you the option to create it.

E.g.

[DCINSTALL]
InstallDNS=yes
NewDomain=forest
NewDomainDNSName=example.com
DomainNetBiosName=example
ReplicaOrNewDomain=domain
ForestLevel=2
DomainLevel=2
SafeModeAdminPassword=Pa33Word
RebootOnCompletion=yes

For a list of the switches, you can type ‘dcpromo /?:promotion’ 

4. Create new domain

At the command prompt, type

dcpromo /unattend:c:\unattend.txt

That is it. Now you have created a new forest and a new domain for network. Enjoy!

Related Tech posts:

1. Virtualization of Domain Controller
2. How to Install Windows Server 2003 Cluster service?
3. How to use LDP to remove a Domain Controller?
4. How to remove a dead Domain Controller from Active Directory?
5. Domain Controller Requirements
6. To see who is connected to my Domain Controller
7. Offline File and Folder Setup in Vista