Active Directory
An active directory (sometimes referred to as an AD) does a variety of functions including the ability to provide information on objects, helps organize these objects for easy retrieval and access, allows access by end users and administrators and allows the administrator to set security up for the directory.
Domain Name System (DNS)
Domain Name System is a hierarchial naming system built on a distributed database for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities. Most importantly, it translates domain names meaningful to humans into the numerical identifiers associated with networking equipment for the purpose of locating and addressing these devices worldwide.
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Primary / Secondary DNS
There are two basic types of DNS - primary DNS and secondary DNS, which are generally applied to each newly registered domain. They are name server computers where the record of your domain name is stored. The information on both servers is identical. The two DNS values are usually configured by your ISP or hosting provider and given to you as a very important part of your domain registration order details.
In general, domain names can work with only one name server - the primary DNS. However, practice has shown that a domain name needs to have at least two name servers assigned in order to be available at any time. In case there is a problem with the primary name server, the secondary name server will be able to answer the online request for a particular domain. This back-up requirement has turned into an accepted Internet standard that prevents domain names from going offline.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHCP is a service and protocol which runs on a Windows Server 2003 operating system. DHCP functions at the application layer of the TCP/IP protocol stack. One of the primary tasks of the protocol is to automatically assign IP addresses to DHCP clients. A server running the DHCP service is called a DHCP server. The DHCP protocol automates the configuration of TCP/IP clients because IP addressing occurs through the system. You can configure a server as a DHCP server so that the DHCP server can automatically assign IP addresses to DHCP clients, and with no manual intervention. IP addresses that are assigned via a DHCP server are regarded as dynamically assigned IP addresses. The DHCP server assigns IP addresses from a predetermined IP address range(s), called a scope.
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Scope in DHCP
A scope can be defined as a set of IP addresses which the DHCP server can allocate or assign to DHCP clients. A scope contains specific configuration information for clients that have IP addresses which are within the particular scope. Scope information for each DHCP server is specific to that particular DHCP server only, and is not shared
Creating the Active Directory
After you have installed Windows Server 2003 on a stand-alone server, run the Active Directory Wizard to create the new Active Directory forest or domain, and then convert the Windows Server 2003 computer into the first domain controller in the forest. To convert a Windows Server 2003 computer into the first domain controller in the forest, follow these steps:
