Introduction

The domain is an integral part of the active directory. It provides services such as Active Directory Domain Services(AD DS), one of the core functions of an active directory. In simple terms, AD AS is an organization tool that groups computers working on the same network in logical hierarchies, in terms of chain of command or rights provided to users. In this article we will explore how to Install Active Directory Domain Services Using PowerShell.

Computers and users at different levels of the hierarchy may have different authoritarian roles. They can also have different degrees of accessibility to the enterprise resources available on that network. (e.g., data files). To install an active directory, specifically AD DS, IT admins can implement PowerShell.

PowerShell and CLI

PowerShell is a command-line interface powered by an automation engine developed by Microsoft Inc., which mainly works in Windows OS only.  A CLI is a text form of user interface which allows the admin to edit, change and manage applications and files in a computer system.

Steps to Install Active Directory Domain Services Using PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell
   Open command prompt(CMD) through ‘RUN’ from the start menu.
   In the CMD, type
   Start PowerShell
   and press enter.
2. To install AD AS, type:
   Add-WindowsFeature-AD-Domain-Services
   This will begin the installation of Active Directory Domain Services.
   

Advantages

Installing AD DS welcomes various beneficial aspects such as:

• Allows customization of data: AD AS allows IT administrators to customize and manage available data which can carry out tasks at work. Admins will be able to know what data is available and what is not.
• Privacy of information in a common workspace: Control over network resources available to different clients as per the logical hierarchy is centralized. Not all data is available and accessible to everyone on the same network and can only be changed or modified by the admins. This allows companies to ensure some people know only as much as required to do their tasks efficiently and without confusion.
• Smooth transition in case any domain controller fails: Domain controllers are servers that authenticate users or clients on a network as per the active directory. When many computers are requesting access to the network resources simultaneously, domain controllers fail, which is averted through the AD- Domain Services.