Prerequisites to Install Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2

If you prefer to install Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 on the Server, provide the below
requirements:

Server: Purchasing a Dedicated Server

Processor: At least 1 GHz (for x86 processors) or 1.4 GHz (for x64 processors); 2 GHz is
Recommended and faster.

RAM: At least 512 MB; 2 GB or more is recommended.

Disk Space: At least 10 GB; 40 GB or more is recommended.

Display: Super VGA (800 * 600); Higher resolution monitor is Recommended.

Pre-installation Note: If you are upgrading from Windows Server 2008 to Windows Server
2008 r2, and you had installed your Windows Server 2008 on a 32-bit server, you need to
upgrade your hardware to 64-bit before upgrading to Server 2008 R2. But, if you just want to
install R2, you will be able to do this from scratch or run an upgrade. You can choose between
the two because they are both available.

Golden Note: If you would like to have a server with pre-installed Windows Server
2008/2008r2, skip all the installation steps and refer to the end of this guide to read how you can
achieve a ready server!

Basic Installation of Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Installation and setting up Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 are both multi-
stage processes. After asking you for some basic data, Setup will copy files and restart the
machine. The menu for Initial Configuration Tasks is presented at the end of setup, allowing you
to customize your server to meet your unique requirements.

Before you install Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2, follow the below steps to prepare for the
installation:

 Disconnect UPS devices.

 Back up your servers.
 Disable your virus protection software.
 Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
 Provide mass storage drivers.
 Be aware that Windows Firewall is on by default.
 Prepare your Active Directory environment with Windows Server 2008/2008 R2 updates.
If you’re all set, let’s go through the steps of this tutorial. The process of installation is the same
for Windows Server 2008 & Windows Server 2008 R2. Here, we are working on Windows
Server 2008.

Step 1. Prepare to Install

Boot your server to let the files and drives be loaded. On the language and preferences screen
(Currency & Time format and also keyboard Type), choose your preferred options and click
”Next”.
Click on”Install Now”.

Step 2. Operating System Selection

As we mentioned, Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 are available in different editions. So,
choose your considered version depending on your license and the purpose of your server to
install on it.

On Windows Server 2008:

On Windows Server 2008 R2:

Step 3. License Agreement

After reading the standard End User License Agreement, check on I Accept the license terms
and then click on Next.
Step 4. Choose the Type of Installation [Advanced or Upgrade]
We assume you are doing a base install of Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 (Install a fresh
copy). So, choose the Custom (Advanced) option. Obviously, if you want to upgrade, you must
choose the upgrade option.
Step 5. Allocate Space for Windows Server
If you are installing the server on a regular IDE hard disk, click to select the 32 GB blank disk.
usually Disk 0, and click Next. Select disk choices (advanced) if you want to partition the
available disk space or reformat a drive.

Step 6. Installing Windows Server

All are ready to begin the installation. Depending on your Server machine, the installation, and
reboot will take a while.

When the initial phase of copying the file is complete, the server will immediately restart.

Step 7. Change Password

After the installation is complete, you are prompted to change your password before attempting
to log in.

As you know, you are recommended to choose a strong password and write it down somewhere
safe to not force reinstalling Windows Server again.
Let the setup finish to view your desktop.

Step 8. Configure Windows Server

As soon as you log on, the Initial Configuration Tasks window appears. You might also use the
Command Prompt to navigate to this page by typing Oobe.exe.
Now, you can adjust the time zone to let the date and time correct then. To Configure
Networking, set one up right away because a Domain Controller must be the first server installed
in a network and because they need a static IP. Double-click Local Area Connection, then select
Properties from the information box that appears.

Finally, in the Networking box, select Internet Protocol Version 4, then click Properties. Enter
the settings for your particular server and network IP addresses after changing the radial button
to “Use the following IP address.” Click OK to save those adjustments after you’re done.

How to install Active Directory in Windows Server 2008

Installation

Step 1 -Open Server Manager → Roles, this will bring up the Roles Summary on the right hand side where
you can click on the Add Roles link.

Step 2 -Select Active Directory Domain Services from the list, you will be told that you need to add some
features, click on the Add Required Features button and click next to move on.
Step 3 -A brief introduction about Active Directory, and links to additional resources will be displayed. Click
next, and then click Install to start installing the binaries for Active Directory.
Step 3 -When the installation is finished you will be shown a success message. Just click Close.
Configuration

Step 1 -Start → Run → Type dcpromo to run the ADDS wizard.

Step 2 -The message that is shown now relates to older clients that do not support the new cryptographic
algorithms supported by Server 2008 R2. Click Next to move on.
Step 3 -If this is the first forest in your Active Directory environment, select the option "Create a new domain
in a new forest".
Step 4 -Pick a name for your forest and root domain.
Step 5 -Since this is the first DC in our domain we can change our forest functional level to Server 2008 R2.
Step 6 -Include DNS in this installation as this will allow you to have an AD Integrated DNS Zone. When you
click Next, you will see a message asking you to confirm your selections. Click yes to continue.
Step 7 -Select the folder where your database, log files and SYSVOL will be stored. It is recommended to
stick to the default settings.
Step 8 - Enter a unique Active Directory Restore Mode password that will be used during recovery.
Step 9 -Once the installation is complete, the server will be automatically rebooted to apply the configurations.

Setup and configure active directory domain services

in windows server 2008
Active Directory Domain Services developed by Microsoft is a directory service for the
Windows domain networks. It turns the server into a domain controller which authenticates and
authorizes all users and computers in the domain network.

In Windows Server 2008 R2, the Initial Configuration Task (ICT) window is set to launch
during startup. In case it has been closed, it can be opened by running the command “oobe.exe”
in command prompt.

Configure Networking
 In the ICT window, under Provide Computer Information, click Configure networking.
Right-click on Local Area Connection, select Properties.
  Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties. Give the server a static IP
and for the Preferred DNS server, it will be 127.0.0.1. Click OK when done.

Add Roles
 In the ICT window, under Customize This Server, click Add roles.
 In Add Roles Wizard, click Next to get to the Server Roles list. Check Active
Directory Domain Services and a window will pop up. Click Add Required Features.
Click Next, Next and Install. Click Close when done.

Setup Domain Controller

 Run the command “dcpromo.exe “. An Active Directory Domain Services Installation
Wizard will pop up.
  Click Next until user see Choose a Deployment Configuration. Select Create a new
domain in a new forest and click Next. Key in a name and add “.local ” after the name
(e.g.: igx.local ) for a local domain and click Next.
 In Set Forest Functional Level, select Windows Server 2008 R2 and click Next.
 In Additional Domain Controller Options, make sure that DNS server is checked and
click Next. A window will pop up, click Yes to continue.
 In Location for Database, Log Files, and SYSVOL, user can either change the database
folder location or use the default locations. Click Next when done.
 In Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator Password, key in password of
choice for Restore Mode Administrator account and click Next.
 In Summary, click Next and the installation will begin. Click Finish and click Restart
Now.

Create Users
 Go to Start, Administrative Tools, select Active Directory Users and Computers.
 Expand the newly created domain on the left pane and double-click Users. All users will
be displayed on the right pane. Right-click on an empty space on the right pane,
select New, select User.
 Key in the details of the new user and click Next. Key in a password. User can either
uncheck User must change password at next logon or leave it checked and click Next.

Setup DHCP
 Go to Start, Administrative Tools, select Server Manager.
 In Server Manager, click Roles on the left pane. On the right pane, under Roles
Summary, click Add Roles and the Add Roles Wizard will appear.
 In Add Roles Wizard, click Next to get to the Server Roles list. Check DHCP
Server and click Next.
 In Select Network Connection Bindings, click Next.
 In Specify IPv4 DNS Server Settings, make sure that the parent domain is the newly
created domain which is cool.local. For Preferred DNS server IPv4 address, key in the
server’s IP address which is 10.0.2.15 and not the localhost IP (127.0.0.1).
Click Validate to check the validity of the IP. For Alternate DNS server IPv4 address,
leave it empty and click Next.
 In Specify IPv4 WINS Server Settings, user can leave it as default and click Next.
 In Add or Edit DHCP Scopes, click Add on the right to add scope.
 In Add Scope pop-up window, key in the Scope name, Starting IP address,
and Ending IP address. Key in the Default gateway at the bottom. Run “ipconfig” in
command prompt to check the default gateway. Click OK to close the Add Scope pop-up
window and get back to Add or Edit DHCP Scopes. Click Next.
 In Configure DHCPv6 Stateless Mode, check Disable DHCPv6 Stateless mode for
this server and click Next.
  In Authorize DHCP Server, make sure that Use current credentials is checked and
click Next.
 In Confirm Installation Selections, click Install. Click Close when done.

Connect client to domain

 Open Network and Sharing Center. Click Change adapter settings on the left. Right-
click on Local Area Connection, select Properties. In the Local Area Connection
Properties window, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and
click Properties.
 Under General tab, make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically is checked.
Check Use the following DNS server addresses and key in the server’s IP address.
Click OK when done.

 Right-click My Computer, select Properties.

 Under Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings, clicks Change
settings and System Properties window will pop up.
 Under Computer Name tab, click Change and Computer Name/Domain
Changes window will pop up. Give a recognizable name for the PC.

 Check Domain and key in the domain created earlier and click OK.
 User will be prompt to key in a username and password to join the domain. Key in the
user account that is registered to the active directory domain.
 After successfully joining the domain, user will be prompt to restart the PC.