04 - How to Promote Windows Server 2022 to Domain Controller (Video Tutorial in Khmer)

Hello my friend! Today I show you step-by-step how to Promote Windows Server 2022 to Domain Controller (AD DS)! A Domain Controller manages all user logins, passwords, and security policies on your network! Very easy to follow with video tutorial in Khmer! Let's get started!

Step 1: Set Static IP & Computer Name First!

Before promoting your server to Domain Controller, make sure you configure a Static IP address and Computer Name (like DC01).

• IP Address: 192.168.1.10
• Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
• Preferred DNS: 192.168.1.10 (or 127.0.0.1 loopback)

💡 Tip: ALWAYS configure static IP and computer name BEFORE promoting to Domain Controller! If you try to change server name after promotion, it can break Active Directory database services!

Step 2: Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) Role

1. Open Server Manager > click Manage > Add Roles and Features.
2. Click Next until Server Roles page.
3. Check box Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) (click Add Features when pop-up appears).
4. Click Next > click Install. Wait a few minutes until installation complete!

💡 Tip: Installing AD DS role only copies Active Directory files to your server. It is NOT a Domain Controller yet until you promote it in Step 3!

Step 3: Promote Server to Domain Controller

1. In Server Manager, click yellow Notification Flag 🚩 icon at top right corner.
2. Click link Promote this server to a domain controller.
3. In Deployment Configuration:
   • Select Add a new forest (if creating new domain network).
   • Enter Root domain name (example: rean.local or company.local). Click Next.
4. Set DSRM Password (Directory Services Restore Mode password) and keep it safe!
5. Click Next through default settings > click Install!

💡 Tip: Remember your DSRM Password! You will need this master password if Active Directory crashes or if you need to perform database recovery in the future!

Step 4: Reboot & Verify Domain Controller

1. When installation finish, Windows will automatically Restart Server.
2. After reboot, log in with domain admin account: REAN\Administrator (or YOURDOMAIN\Administrator).
3. Open Server Manager > Tools > open Active Directory Users and Computers.

Congratulations! Your Windows Server 2022 is now a fully active Domain Controller (DC)!

Watch Video Tutorial (Khmer)

Watch full step-by-step video tutorial below to see complete Domain Controller promotion in Khmer:

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Hope this tutorial help you promote Windows Server 2022 to Domain Controller easily! Practice setting up Active Directory today. Happy learning my friends! Sharing is caring!