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Here are some simple step by step instructions for creating a new Active Directory Forest using Server 2012 and Windows PowerShell.
- Launch powershell from the server you are setting up as your first DC in the new forest
- Install the windows roles and features for Active Directory Domain Services using the command
Add-WindowsFeature -name ad-domain-services -IncludeManagementTools
- Once the role is instealled, you are ready to create the new forest. Use this command to configure the new forest
Install-ADDSForest -DomainName "labdomain.com" -ForestMode 5 -DomainMode 5
This will install a new AD Forest called labdomain.com with forest functional, and domain functional mode of Server 2012. If you want to use use a different functional level you can change the modes to suit your requirements as shown below:
2003 = 2
2008 = 3
2008R2 = 4
2012 = 5
You will be prompted for a safemode password - this will be your AD recovery password to you need something complex, and keep it secure.
- Confirm you want to install AD and configure this server as a domain controller by clicking Y. Once complete the server will reboot and your server will be the first domain controller in the new forest.
