DCPromo in Windows Server 2012: What Happened?
Transitioning from DCPromo in Windows Server
Historically, administrators utilizing earlier iterations of Windows Server would employ the graphical user interface (GUI) to integrate the necessary Active Directory binaries onto their server.
Following this initial step, the DCPromo utility was used to elevate the server’s role to that of a Domain Controller.
The Deprecation of DCPromo
However, with the introduction of Windows Server 2012, DCPromo was officially deprecated and removed as a tool.
This change necessitated the adoption of alternative methods for promoting servers to Domain Controllers, leveraging PowerShell and Server Manager.
Consequently, administrators now rely on newer functionalities to achieve the same outcome without the use of the legacy DCPromo utility.
Setting Up Active Directory on Server 2012
While a graphical user interface is available for adding the necessary components, PowerShell operates as the underlying mechanism, even when utilizing the GUI. Consequently, this guide will focus exclusively on PowerShell commands. To initiate the installation of the required binaries, simply launch a PowerShell console and execute the following command:
Add-WindowsFeature -name ad-domain-services –IncludeManagementTools –Restart
Upon completion of the installation process, the system will undergo a reboot. Following the restart, you will be prepared to install a new domain controller within a new forest. Open another PowerShell console to proceed.
Three distinct PowerShell commands are available for promoting your server to a domain controller:
- Install-ADDSDomainController - This cmdlet is used to establish a new domain controller within an already existing domain.
- Install-ADDSDomain - Utilize this command to create a new domain within an existing forest structure.
- Install-ADDSForest - This cmdlet facilitates the creation of an entirely new forest.
As a new forest is required in this scenario, the Install-ADDSForest cmdlet will be employed.
Install-ADDSForest –DomainName “corp.howtogeek.com”
The system will then prompt you to define a password for Restore Mode and request confirmation regarding a server reboot.
The server will now begin the process of configuring your new Domain Controller. This may take some time.
After the server completes its reboot sequence, the setup is finalized.
The process is now complete. PowerShell provides a streamlined and efficient method for deploying Active Directory!