Building a Server Core domain controller
You are now equipped to spin up Server Core instances, configure them with hostnames, IP addresses, and domain memberships, and administer these new servers using various administrative toolsets. One of the most frequent uses of Server Core that I have seen in production environments is as a secondary domain controller. Let's walk through the process of setting one up so that you have exact steps if ever this situation applies to you.
Begin by prepping the new server. You already know all of this, but here is the basic outline of steps that you want to accomplish before thinking about turning this server into a domain controller:
- Spin up the new server and install Server Core.
- Use Sconfig or PowerShell from the console to configure a static IP address and a permanent hostname. Remember, once you turn this server into a domain controller, it is not supported to change the name, and not easy to change the IP –...
