Create the Primary Active Directory server

Lab Management uses such a small subset of Active Directory features that you do not require a dedicated high-end server for it.

Tip: You must have a VMware image before you install the Primary Active Directory server, and this step is considered a Lab Management Best Practice.
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The Lab Management Installer automatically creates the configuration files (the host files for the Active Directory server) for you. After it completes this task, follow these steps to create the Primary Active Directory server.

  1. Create a VMware virtual image for the Primary Active Directory server on the physical node where the server is hosted.
    • sudo vmcreate -n <fully-qualified Domain Name of the Primary Directory server>
    Command output:
        $ sudo vmcreate -F -n ad.cubit.example.com
        Unregister guest node: ad.cubit.example.com
        Fetching prebuilt virtual disk images from manager node
        URL =
        "http://mgr/public/os/Microsoft/2k3stdR2/i386/Windows2k3stdR2_
        dc/4/Windows_2k3stdR2.vmdk"
        Register guest node: ad.cubit.example.com
        $
  2. Start the VMware virtual image.
    • sudo vmctl start <fully-qualified Domain Name of the Primary Directory server>
    Command output:
        $ sudo vmctl start ad.cubit.example.com
        Start ad.cubit.example.com:   OK$
    Tip: Launch the VMware Server Console application from your desktop to connect to the VMware server running on the physical node to monitor the progress of the Primary Active Directory server set-up process.
  3. Set the Domain Administrator password.
    1. Click Start and select All Programs .
    2. Select Administrative Tools .
    3. Select Active Directory Users and Computers .
    4. Expand your Domain name.
    5. In the Users folder, under the Name column, select Administrator and right-click.
    6. Select Reset Password .
    7. Enter the new password and confirm it.
    8. Click OK .
    9. Log out and log back in as the Domain Administrator using the new password.
  4. Join the Manager node into the Active Directory domain. Assuming the Active Directory domain of "servers.example.com" is being used for the Lab Management domain:
     $ /usr/bin/sudo kinit Administrator@SERVERS.EXAMPLE.COM   <<<---- domain name in all upper cases
     Password:  (this is your own password for sudo)
     Password for Administrator@SERVERS.EXAMPLE.COM:  (type domain administrator password here)
     $ /usr/bin/sudo net ads join -U Administrator
     Administrator's password:  (type domain administrator password here)
     Using short domain name -- SERVERS
     Joined 'MGR' to realm 'SERVERS.EXAMPLE.COM'
     $ /usr/bin/sudo net ads testjoin
     Join is OK
     $ 
Once the installation process is complete, review the log files located at C:\runonce.log to verify that all steps have completed successfully.