Crash Course for Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, Network Printer, Network Shared Drive for Entry Level

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of essential concepts and configurations related to Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, network printers, and network shared drives. It is designed for entry-level IT professionals and aims to equip you with the foundational knowledge needed to set up and troubleshoot these critical components in a networked environment.

Step 1: Computer Lab Setup and Configuration

To begin your journey in network management, you need to set up your computer lab effectively.

• Gather Equipment: Ensure you have the following:

  • A server or computer with Windows Server installed.
  • Client machines (Windows PCs).
  • Network hardware (switches, routers).

• Install Necessary Software: Make sure to have:

  • Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).
  • DHCP server role.
  • DNS server role.

• Network Configuration:

  • Connect all devices to the same network.
  • Assign static IP addresses to the server.

Step 2: Setting Up Active Directory

Active Directory is crucial for managing permissions and access to network resources.

• Install Active Directory:

  • Open Server Manager and select “Add Roles and Features”.
  • Choose “Active Directory Domain Services” and follow the prompts to install.

• Promote Server to Domain Controller:

  • After installation, use the “Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard” to set up a new forest.
  • Define your domain name (e.g., example.local).

• Create User Accounts:

  • Open Active Directory Users and Computers.
  • Right-click on your domain and select “New” > “User”.
  • Fill out user details and set passwords.

Step 3: Configuring DHCP

DHCP allows devices to obtain IP addresses automatically, simplifying network management.

• Install DHCP Server:

  • In Server Manager, add the DHCP server role similar to Active Directory.

• Configure DHCP Scope:

  • Open DHCP management console.
  • Right-click on your server and select “New Scope”.
  • Define the range of IP addresses to distribute and set subnet mask.

• Activate the Scope:

  • After configuration, right-click on the scope and select “Activate”.

Step 4: Setting Up DNS

DNS translates domain names into IP addresses, making it essential for network navigation.

• Install DNS Server:

  • Similar to previous installations, add the DNS server role.

• Configure DNS Zones:

  • Open DNS management console.
  • Right-click on “Forward Lookup Zones” and select “New Zone”.
  • Follow the wizard to create a primary zone corresponding to your domain.

• Add DNS Records:

  • Right-click on your new zone and choose to add A or CNAME records for your servers and devices.

Step 5: Network Printer Configuration

Setting up network printers is essential for shared access in an office environment.

• Connect Printer to Network:

  • Ensure your printer is connected to the network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

• Install Printer Drivers:

  • On a client machine, download and install the appropriate drivers for your printer model.

• Add Printer to Network:

  • Go to “Devices and Printers” on your client machine.
  • Select “Add a printer” and choose the network printer from the list.

• Troubleshoot Common Issues:

  • Check connections, ensure the printer is powered on, and verify that it has the correct drivers installed.

Step 6: Setting Up Network Shared Drives

Shared drives facilitate collaboration by allowing multiple users to access files.

• Create a Shared Folder:

  • On the server, create a folder you want to share.
  • Right-click the folder and select “Properties”, then go to the “Sharing” tab.

• Share the Folder:

  • Click on “Share”, select users or groups to share with, and set permissions (Read or Read/Write).

• Map Network Drive on Client Machines:

  • On a client PC, open File Explorer, select “This PC”, and click “Map network drive”.
  • Enter the path to the shared folder (e.g., \\servername\sharename).

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you've learned how to set up and configure essential network services including Active Directory, DHCP, DNS, network printers, and shared drives. These skills are critical for managing a network effectively. As a next step, consider deepening your knowledge in each area by exploring advanced configurations or troubleshooting techniques.