There are two methods we can use to install the Active Directory domain controllers:

• Using Windows GUI: After Microsoft introduced Server Manager with Windows Server 2008, the installation process of AD DS became simplified. In order to install the AD DS using Windows GUI, we first need to install the AD DS role using Server Manager. Once it is completed, we can run the AD DS configuration wizard:

The following screenshot shows the Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard:

• Using PowerShell: Before Windows Server 2012, AD DS were able to be configured using Dcpromo unattended files. The Dcpromo tool was used to configure the AD DS, and using a text file it was possible to pass the configuration values required. It removed the user interaction for the AD DS configuration. With Windows Server 2012, Dcpromo got replaced by PowerShell. Now we can use PowerShell script to install and configure AD DS. In this chapter, we will be using PowerShell for deployments.