Active Directory (AD) is a directory service for use in a Windows Server environment. It is a distributed, hierarchical database structure that shares infrastructure information to locate, protect, manage, and organize computer and network resources, such as files, users, groups, peripherals, and network devices.

For the Active Directory service, a simulated network scenario is carried out with the GNS3 program, where we are going to use a Cisco router with the DHCP service, a virtual machine with Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard and two client virtual machines with Windows 7 Professional. The topology for this scenario is shown below.

The following table shows the information of the devices, IP address and operating system.

This network laboratory is carried out on a computer with the following characteristics:

The IP address of the Router (Network Gateway) is configured, where the configuration is applied to the network interface that connects to the local network.

The following image shows the IP address settings on the local interface.

The DHCP Service configuration for the delivery of dynamic IP addresses to the network segment is performed. To configure the DHCP in the Router, specify the network address with its subnet mask, the DNS which would be the Server IP.

The following image shows the DHCP service configuration on the router.

The IP address indicated in the topology is configured.

The connection to the router is tested.

To configure the Active Directory service, we are located in the Windows Server Server Manager. On the initial screen, we choose the Add Roles option.

The initial wizard for the installation of roles on the Server appears. We follow until we get to the roles.

In the roles, we choose the Active Directory Domain Services option.

We follow everything until we reach the final confirmation of the installation of the service or role.

In the final confirmation, it shows us a summary of the role that we are going to install. We select the option of automatic restart of the server if it is required and we click on Install.

Let's wait until the installation is complete.

After completing the role installation, we proceed to configure the Active Directory service.

In the server administrator, in the notification area, we select the option promote this server to a domain controller.

In the initial configuration of Active Directory, we select the option to Add a new forest. For this scenario, we put as domain: network.local.

n the Domain Controller options, we set the functionality level to the same version of the current operating system. It is also important to install the DNS Service, which is essential for the Active Directory to function. In the same way, a recovery password is established in case it is required.

In the DNS option, it is left as is.

In the additional option, in the NETBIOS name we will leave it as it is.

The Active Directory files (Database, log files and more) we leave it as it is.

The Active Directory configuration is then verified before proceeding to install. If we agree with what has been done, we click next.