installing AD on existing win2003 server?

[wildman]

Hello.

I have a couple of Windows 2003 web servers in a home lab. One has
production-like (important) stuff on it and I really can't afford to
have it down for more than a few hours. The other is where I develop
and on occasion I've had to switch over to it due to hardware problems
with the prod server. Nothing fancy and certainly nothing too serious.
The development server has the latest windows patches, visual studio
2003 and bunch of software I'd rather not have to reinstall.

I'm looking to play with SharePoint 2007 but am hearing I must have a
domain controller with AD installed. I currently don't have any real
experience installing or configuring AD.

First off, can I install AD from the win2003 server on one of my
servers without disrupting anything? or will I have to reinstall /
reconfigure windows?

If I can install it on the prod server, at a high level what do I need
to do? Big deal?

Thanks for any help or information.

 

[Meinolf Weber]

Hello (e-mail address removed),

If you have never worked with AD i could strongly recommend that you first
begin to learn about it, instead of just installing. Also Domain controllers
should be dedicated machines with no applications, like a webserver. DC's
are the heart of a domain and mostly for security in the domain leave them
do only Active directory, DNS and DHCP.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
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[Florian Frommherz [MVP]]

Howdie!

I'm looking to play with SharePoint 2007 but am hearing I must have a
domain controller with AD installed. I currently don't have any real
experience installing or configuring AD.

I've setup a sharepoint 2007 server a while ago but cannot remember if
there was a requirement for Active Directory. You're sure it's needed?

First off, can I install AD from the win2003 server on one of my
servers without disrupting anything? or will I have to reinstall /
reconfigure windows?

If I can install it on the prod server, at a high level what do I need
to do? Big deal?

Don't mess with production servers if you're just seeking for a machine
to play with. Download Virtual PC or VMWare or whatever and install a
Windows Server 2003 trial version in that virtualized environment. For
testing and playing purposes is that all you need.

For the rest of it: stick with what Meinolf wrote. AD isn't that easy.
The setup is pretty straight-forward but when it comes to troubleshoot
things and advanced-config things, you better read up the basics and
learn how things are working.

cheers,

Florian

 

[wildman]

I decided to use Windows Virtual PC to and install windows 2003, AD
and Sharepoint.

My understanding is Sharepoint needs something to authenticate
against, but possibly I could i have done it with local server
accounts.

thanks.