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Deploy a New Active Directory Forest

In this hands-on lab, we will learn how to create a new Active Directory Domain Services Forest in two different ways. First, we will use the Domain Desktop Experience. We will then learn how to complete the same steps using Server Core.

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Lab platform
Lab Info
Level
Intermediate
Last updated
Sep 22, 2025
Duration
45m

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Table of Contents
  1. Challenge

    Install the Active Directory Domain Service Server Role Using Server Manager
    1. Log in to the de-vm virtual machine via RDP using the Public IP as the connection name.
    2. Install the Active Directory Domain Service Server Role in Server Manager.
  2. Challenge

    Promote Server to a Domain Controller in a New Forest
    1. Promote Server to a Domain Controller in a New Forest:
      1. Add a new forest with Root Domain Name: Corp.SandyNetworking01.com.
      2. NetBIOS domain name: CORP.
      3. Default database locations are fine.
  3. Challenge

    Prepare and Install a New Forest Using Windows Server Core
    1. Log in to the ps-vm virtual machine via RDP using the public IP as the connection name.
    2. Access Windows PowerShell.
    3. Install windows feature AD-domain-services.
    4. Import the ADDSDeployment Module.
    5. Install a new forest for the Domain Name Corp.SandyNetworking02.com (We are using 02 since we already created 01 in the first install method.)
    6. Make sure to Install a new DNS server during the forest installation process.
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