Windows Server Codename “Longhorn” – DHCPv4 Installation

In this post, I will show how to configure the DHCPv4 role on a Windows Server codename “Longhorn” server.

I have done this on the same server SRO-LH-01, which is already a domain controller for the sro-lh.local domain.

Basically, it comes down to adding a new role to the server:

I chose the “DHCP Server” role (notice that the left pane was dynamically updated to reflect the role(s) marked as to be installed):

A short introduction text on DHCP:

Then I had to chose the binding to use. The wizard shows the list of NICs having a static IP address. I chose the NIC of the server:

The next step is to provide the DNS domain and the IP addresses of the DNS server (this will be found back in the DHCP Server Options). As there is only one DNS server in my test environment, the alternate DNS server IP address is left empty:

No WINS is required:

The next step is to add or edit DHCP scopes:

I added the “MainScope” scope for my tests. It will use addresses in the 192.168.200.[100-199] range. Initially, I also chose a shorter lease duration:

This is how it looked after clicking OK:

As I was not interested in IPv6, I said no to the next question:

The last step in the configuration wizard is to authorize the DHCP server in Directory Services:

Ultimately, the wizard shows a summary of the configuration before actually installing it:

Progress status:

Well, that’s it… DHCP is installed and configured.

I made a test: I booted my XP VM SRO-XP-01. The test was successful, as the PC received an IP address from the “Longhorn” DHCP server.

I had a look at the DHCP console and SRO-LH-01 and could see the lease from SRO-XP-01:

So, all fine .

Steve

Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset

The Microsoft Diagnostics Recovery Toolset repairs any unbootable or lock-out desktop systems that have crashed. By manipulating components on the offline system, it helps you return the PC to service, recover lost data, and prevent future downtime.

This video explains how you can recover failed systems with minimal manual effort—and with much less time than is required when restoring PCs from backup or reinstalling operating systems.

Well, that’s ERD Commander 5.0!

Watch the video here.

Steve

Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management

Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management gives you greater control over Group Policy Objects through change management, versioning, and rollbacks.

In this video demonstration, see how you can more easily control the desktop and ensure less downtime from conflicting or improperly configured GPOs.

Personally, this is a major step forward, as it adds change control and workflow to the GP management. Something I would had loved to have in the past years.

Watch the video here.

Steve

Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization

With Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization, you can turn Windows applications into centrally managed, virtual services that are never installed, and can be instantly streamed to any desktop or laptop.

In this one-hour video, learn how SoftGrid’s virtualization technology can simplify desktop administration by automating processes for deploying, patching, updating, and terminating applications.

It is now easier—and requires fewer IT resources—to address complex critical business projects such as OS and application migrations, security refreshes, and disaster recovery plans.

Watch the video here.

Steve

Windows Server Codename “Longhorn” – Active Directory Installation (incl. DNS)

OK, so at this point my server SRO-LH-01 is configured as standalone server, with IP address 192.168.200.1.

We will now make this server a Domain Controller.

To do this, I will add the role “Active Directory Domain Services” and perform the promotion.

There are several ways to do this, I went through the Initial Configuration Wizard:

and clicked on “Add roles”:

Then, I selected the role in the list:

The wizard shows some introduction:

Just a confirmation:

Installation is going on:

Installation succeeded:

So, now the binaries for Active Directory Domain Services have been copied to the server and we are in a good position to start the promotion of SRO-LH-01 to Domain Controller. Good ol’ dcpromo.exe command is still there:

First, the tool will check for the presence of the ADDS binaries:

This is the first page of the dc promo wizard. It allows to go into advanced mode from the GUI (instead of having to start dcpromo with the /adv parameters):

My environment does not include DNS at this stage, so I asked the wizard to install DNS Server at the same time:

Of course, I want to create a new domain in a new forest:

My domain will be named sro-lh.local (I already have sro.local for another environment):

At this point, we can choose the forest functional level:

For my tests, I chose to go for the “Longhorn” forest functional level:

This is the first DC in the forest. Therefore, it must be GC and cannot be a Read-Only DC (I will cover the RODC feature in a further post):

We have now to specify the locations for the DB, Log Files and SYSVOL:

Next step is to specify the DSRM admin password:

As a last step, we can review the options and we can even export them to use as answer file for further (unattended) domain controller promotions: 

The installation/configuration is going on (note the possibility to have the server automatically rebooted at the end of the process):

The installation is finished:

And we have to reboot the server:

After the reboot, I logged on:

I had a look at the computer properties:

The AD Domains and Trusts MMC snap-in:

A look at ADUC:

A look at the DNS console:

So far, so good .

The next post will be about the installation/configuration of DHCPv4. Stay tuned.

Steve