How to add or remove clients from domain network of server 2003
In a domain network, a client is a computer where actual works are done by users. All clients are controlled by the server. In our previous article, we have configured Server. Now we need client computers so the user can perform the assigned task.
We assume that you have configured server before starting this process.
Pre-quest of the client process
· ADS is configured on server 2003 and working
· DNS is configured on server 2003 and working
· Client computer is connected with Server.
Once you have completed the necessary steps go on client computer and login form administrator account.
- Right click on My Computer and Select Properties In properties click on change button from Computer
· In open window select Domain form Member of radio select pane. And give our server name that is Example.com. It will ask you to authenticate the joining. We will use the default administrator account of the server as we haven't created a special account for this purpose. G
Give the username to administrator and server administrator’s password.
After few minutes a welcome message will appear on screen click on it.
A system reboot is required to take the effect. Restart the system
There are several ways to confirm that the system is client or not. You can confirm on the login screen.
If you see the login to options on login screen means the system is the member of the domain network.
If you don't find any logon to options here means the system is the part of workgroup network
· After login you can check it on My computer properties. Select the computer name tab in My computer properties.
- If you see workgroup here mean the computer is the part of workgroup network.
- If you see the domain here means the computer is the part of a domain network
How to disjoin from domain network
We have successfully joined the client in the domain. Now we would learn how to remove client form domain. For practice, we would remove the client which we have just added. Login form local administrative account
Right click on My Computer and Select Properties In properties click on change button from Computer
In open window select WORKGROUP form Member of radio select pane. And give any name. It will ask you to authenticate the disjoining. We will use the default local administrator account.
After few minutes a welcome message will appear on screen click on it. A system reboot is required to take the effect. Restart the system
After reboot Verify disjoining process by any method given in above. Either by login screen or my computer properties.
Administrator account can be used in LAB environments. But in a real company environments using administrator account for joining or disjoining process create a huge security risk. Always avoid using administrator account for this process. In our next article we will discuss that how we can deploy other account for this process.
Removing ADS form registry
Always use configuration wizard to remove ADS. Use the registry method only when the configuration wizard fails to remove ADS.
To remove ADS form registry run Regedit command in the run box
Locate this key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ProductOptions
In left pane double click on productType
Replace the default LanmanNT to ServerNT and exit from registry
A system reboot will require to take place to Restart the system
After a restart, you will see login to option on login screen its normal just select local computer and log in. You can reconfigure ADS after login in the local computer.
After login, you can configure ADS form any of one method we have discussed in our previous article.
How To Verify the Installation of ADS and How to Remove ADS
Administrator tools
How to Removing of ADS
Wizard will finally confirm you to delete all partitions. Tick mark on Delete all application directory partitions on this domain controller
In our last article, we have configured ADS. In this tutorial, I will guide you how to check ads installation. ADS installation can be verified from three methods.
· My computer properties
· Login screen
· Administrator tools
My computer properties
To check wheatear ADS is installed or not on the server, right click on my computer and select properties, now select computer name tab.
If you see here workgroup options mean ADS is not configured
If you see here Domain options mean ADS is configured
If you see here Domain options mean ADS is configured
In the image below, you can see the Domain name mean ADS is configured on this server
Login screen
A server is a domain controller or not it can be verified on Login screen also.
If you see logon to option on login screen mean ADS is configured on this server
Most reliable testing of ADS is checking in administrator tools. If you see all three options listed below in administrator tools means ADS is properly configured and functioning.
1. Active Directory Domains and Trusts
2. Active Directory Sites and Services
3. Active Directory Users and Computers
How to Removing of ADS
We have tested ADS installation now we would remove ADS so you can learn how to remove ADS.
· From configuring your server wizard
· From managing your server wizard
· From DCPROMO.EXE
Choose any option it would launch the same wizard for removing ADS.
To choose to configure your server wizard click on start select administrator tools and click on configure your server. This will launch configure your server window. Same windows can be accessed by clicking on the start button and select Manage your server.
Click on Add / remove a role
Select Domain controller from the list and click on next that will launch ADS remove wizard.
The same wizard can be directly accessed by running DCPROMO commands in the run menu
Click on next to the welcome screen
A warning message will appear as this domain controller is the global catalog server click on ok
Checkmark on the box of This server is the last domain controller in the domain
Now ADS will remove all DNS information store for this domain Click on next
Wizard will finally confirm you to delete all partitions. Tick mark on Delete all application directory partitions on this domain controller
Now set administrator password to log in after the removal of ADS
Review all the option you have selected and click on next to remove ADS
Now wizard will start removing ADS it will take few minutes
Click on the finish button to complete the wizard
A system reboot will require to take place click on restart now
In our earlier article, we have finished all the necessary pre-quest. In this article, we would configure ADS. ADS configuration wizard can be invoked by thee ways.
- · By running DCPROMO.EXE command
- · From Configure your server
- · Manage your server
No matter which options you choose all three will launch same ADS configuration wizard. I will show all the methods
Configure your server / Manage your server
To launch manage your server wizard click on the start button and select manage your server option
To launch configure your server wizard click on the start button and select configure your server wizard from administrator tools
Now click on Add remove a role
Now the server will check the pre-quest which we have completed in our last article. Wizard would show an error message if any of pre-quest is not properly configured.
Wizard will show a list of all tasks which can be configured. Select Domain Controller (Active Directory)
It will show summary for ADS configuration wizard after checking all necessary services.
Click on next to launch ADS configuration wizard
On welcome screen click on next
If you have any pre-windows 2000 client in the network then select
Permission compatible with pre-windows 2000 server operating systems
Permission compatible with pre-windows 2000 server operating systems
If you don't have any pre-windows 2000 server operating systems then select
Permissions compatible only with Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 operating systems for greater security features
Permissions compatible only with Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 operating systems for greater security features
