What is the requirement for active directory installation in Windows 2003?

An NTFS Partition

To positively install active directory you must have minimum one NTFS formatted partition, if possible then the partition Windows is installed in it. To change a partition (C:) to NTFS type the subsequent command in the command prompt window:  

- convert c:/fs:ntfs 

The NTFS partition is essential for the SYSVOL folder.

Free Space on Your Disk

You need a minimum space of 250 MB on the partition you plan to install active directory. Obviously, you'll need more than that if you are planning to create more users, groups and various active directory objects. 

Local Administrator's Username and Password

Only a local Administrator or someone with the same authority can install the first domain and therefore create the new forest. 

If you plan to make another Domain Controller for a current domain - then you must have Domain Admin authority in the domain you're planning to join.

If you want to produce a child domain under the present domain, or another tree in an existing forest - you will require the enterprise admin rights. 

Windows 2000 Server (or Advanced Server or Data Center Server), or Windows Server 2003 (or Enterprise Server or Data Center) 

IP Configuration 

You would need a dedicated IP address to install Active Directory. If you do not use a reserved IP address, DNS registrations may not work properly and you might lose Active Directory functions. If the computer is a multi-user computer then the network adapter that is not linked to the Internet can host the appropriate IP address.

To configure your IP configuration, use the following steps:

- Firstly, right-click 'My Network Places', and then click on 'Properties'.

- The next step is, right-click on the 'Local Area Connection', and then click on 'Properties'
- Click on the 'Internet Protocol' (TCP/IP), and then go to the 'Properties'.
- Ensure that you have a still and dedicated IP address. If you do not need the Internet connectivity through this definite NIC you can use a Private IP range like the 192.168.0.0 with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.255.0. -Click on 'Advanced', and then click the 'DNS' tab. The DNS information should be arranged as follows:

Form the DNS server addresses to point at the DNS server. This should be the computer's private IP address if it's the first server or if you are not planning to organize a dedicated DNS server.

If the Append these DNS suffixes (in order) option is chosen for the resolution of unreserved names, the Active Directory DNS domain name needs to be listed first, at the top of the list.

Confirm that the data in the DNS Suffix for this connection box is the same as the Active Directory domain name. 

Ensure that to the Register this connection, addresses in 'DNS check box' is selected. 

Active Network Connection Required During Installation

The installation of Active Directory requires an active network connection. When you attempt to use Dcpromo.exe to promote a Windows 2000 Server-based computer to a domain controller, you may receive the following error message:

"Active Directory Installation Failed"

The network location cannot be reached. For any further information about network troubleshooting, go to 'Windows Help'.

This problem can happen if the network cable is not powered into a data server or other network device. To understand this problem, plug the network cable into other network device. If network connectivity is unavailable and this is our first domain controller in the new forest, you can complete Dcpromo.exe by installing Microsoft Loopback Adapter. 

The Microsoft Loopback adapter is a tool for analyzing in a cybernetic network environment where the access to a network is not possible. Also, the Loopback adapter is important if there are clashes with a network adapter driver or a network adapter. Network clients, protocols, and many more, can be guaranteed to the Loopback adapter, and the network adapter or network adapter driver can be installed later, while holding the network configuration facts. The Loopback adapter can also be installed through the unattended installation process. Once the adapter is installed positively, you can arrange its options manually, as with some other adapter. Keep in mind, that if the TCP/IP properties are configured to custom DHCP (the default), the adapter will ultimately use an Autonet APIPA address (169.254.x.x/16) because it's not really connected to any physical medium.

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