Windows 2000 provides the Active Directory Installation wizard to guide you through the process of installing Active Directory to create domain controllers and establish domains.



When you install Active Directory, you create one of the following:

You use Dcpromo.exe to run the Active Directory Installation wizard. (You can also use Dcpromo.exe to uninstall Active Directory, thus changing the computer from a domain controller to a member server.)

When you use the Active Directory Installation wizard to install Active Directory, you specify the placement of a domain controller within the Active Directory structure. You also specify detailed information, such as the domain name and the location of files that are created during the installation process.

Understanding the Active Directory installation process helps you avoid potential installation problems and prepares you to implement Active Directory in your network.

After you install Active Directory, you will configure the physical and logical structures of the domain: