how do you add windows 2003 server to a domain?

Question

I am a home user who is learning windows server 2003 and it is a full functional trial version downloaded from microsoft.com.
How do i add it to a domain as i am using it in my house>also in control panel-system-the option to add my computer to a domain is graded out,also i how do i rename my computer?
please help as there are only 45 days left for the product to expire?

Answer 1

if there is no existing domain you must create a domain and make the server a DC--domain controller. You must install active directory. If you wish for this server to be a member server you must have an existing domain. You add the server to the domain as you would add any other computer. Then you share its resources to the rest of the domain.
To make your own domain hit start on the server, run, type dcpromo.exe follow the wizard. That will create a new forrest, tree and domain. Your server will then be a DC. Then follow the wizard to install the rest of Active directory. Don't forget the admin account password you set when creating the forrest--that account is an enterprize admin if there are multiple trees and/or domains. if you forget it you have to recreate your entire forrest as a password cracker won't help you.
You can create user accounts in AD users and computers. You can do a lot of other stuff like create GPO's (group policy objects) to enforce policy you set on users, groups, OU's (organizational units), sites, and domains. To learn how to do this find a book on Win 2003 Dirctory Services--Part of the MCSE/A track. (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer)

Answer 2

Have you already run DCPROMO and made it a DC? If so you can't join it to another domain. If you haven't run DCPROMO then you must log on with an account with Admin rights to join it to a domain.

You can rename it by going into System Properties and clicking on the Computer Name tab. That's not recommended for a DC, however.

Answer 3

have you ever set this gadget to an cyber web area call? cyber web domain names are no longer in any way regarding NT domain names. do no longer enable your gadget to show dns to the cyber web except you have cleared this collectively with your provider. if so turn off your dns provider immediately. They in many circumstances grant dns for you. The gadget could desire to be configured as a internet site grasp controller to permit any gadget to connect the area. If all the machines are on an analogous community, with an analogous netmask you do no longer want dns for the different machines to make certain it, they're going to place self belief in conventional surfing. I recommend you examine up on 2003 server previously you connect something to the cyber web, you need to get your palms burnt very badly.

Answer 4

Run the command Dcpromp from the run command you can create the domain. and follow the instructions.