How to promote Windows Server 2008 to Domain Controller and Join a new Domain
1. Click Start > Run > type DCPROMO and click OK
2. Click Next
3. Click Next
4. Select Create a new domain in a new forest then click Next
NOTE: If the server you are promoting is going to be the part of another domain , select Existing forest and select Add a domain controller to an existing domain.
NOTE: If the server you are promoting is going to be the part of another domain , select Existing forest and select Add a domain controller to an existing domain.
5. Typethe fully qualify domain name (FQDN) of the new forest root domain then click Next
6. Click the drop down and select the Forest Functional Level and click Next
NOTE:WINDOWS 2000- If you select to Windows 2000, the Windows 2000 forest functional level provides all Active Directory Domain Services features that are available in Windows 2000 Server. If you have domain controllers running later versions of Windows Server, some advanced features will not be available on those domain controllers while this forest is at the Windows 2000 functional level.
WINDOWS 2003- If you select functional level to Windows Server 2003, the Windows Server 2003 forest functional level provides all features that are available in Windows 2000 forest functional level, linked-value replication, which improves the replication of changes to group memberships, more efficient generation of complex replication topologies by the KCC, and Forest trust, which allows organizations to easily share internal resources across multiple forests. Any new domain that are created in this forest will automatically operate at the Windows Server 2003 domain functional level.
WINDOWS 2008- If you select Windows Server 2008, the forest functional level does not provide ant new features over the Windows 2003 forest functional level. However, it ensures that any new domains created in this forest will automatically operate at the Windows Server 2008 domain functional level, which does provide unique features.
NOTE:WINDOWS 2000- If you select to Windows 2000, the Windows 2000 forest functional level provides all Active Directory Domain Services features that are available in Windows 2000 Server. If you have domain controllers running later versions of Windows Server, some advanced features will not be available on those domain controllers while this forest is at the Windows 2000 functional level.
WINDOWS 2003- If you select functional level to Windows Server 2003, the Windows Server 2003 forest functional level provides all features that are available in Windows 2000 forest functional level, linked-value replication, which improves the replication of changes to group memberships, more efficient generation of complex replication topologies by the KCC, and Forest trust, which allows organizations to easily share internal resources across multiple forests. Any new domain that are created in this forest will automatically operate at the Windows Server 2003 domain functional level.
WINDOWS 2008- If you select Windows Server 2008, the forest functional level does not provide ant new features over the Windows 2003 forest functional level. However, it ensures that any new domains created in this forest will automatically operate at the Windows Server 2008 domain functional level, which does provide unique features.
7. Select the Domain Functional Level and read the detail. Click Next
8. Wait
9. Check DNS Server checkbox if you want the server to be a DNS Server. Click Next
11. Wait
12. Click Yes
13. Go with the default location for the database and click Next
14. Create the Restore Mode Administrator Password and click Next
15. Verify the information in the summary and click Next
16. Wait for the wizard to configure Active Directory Domain Service
17. Click Finish
18. Click Restart Now
Related Links:Promote Windows Server 2003 to Domain Controller