Windows Server 2003 Virtual Domain

[nathan2o11]

Hi Folks, I have a Virtual Server 2003 running  on WMWare workstation. I have run the DCPromo.exe command to make the server a DC so I can use AD with it. I'm basically wanting to use the virtual server so I can create a domain on it (mydomain.com) for testing purposes. I have my 70-290 exam coming up and want to me able to set up a domain (even though its likely not in the exam).

The problem is I cant get the Windows 7 workstation which is running the VM to join the Servers domain. Even pinging Servers IP address I dont get a reply from the workstation. However I can get a ping reply from the Server to the workstation.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[ChrisDearden]

Have you got DNS working ?

[nathan2o11]

I'm not sure. I installed the additional content needed from the CD. And the DNS thing comes up under  Administrative Tools, but I imagine its just the default settings.

[ChrisDearden]

this is where it gets complicated   you'll need to set the DNS server settings on the DC so that it will still worward unknown queries to the internet ,  then set your host up to use the 2003 VM as its DNS server.

When you promote a domain controller , you should have a suitable zone for it in DNS. without that zone you'll find AD isn't much help.

[nathan2o11]

So I basically set the DNS settings in the IP configuration of my Windows 7 machine to the same IP address as the server? Is it alright for me to leave  the IP address/Gateway and Subnet mask to be assigned on the workstation as DHCP.

Yea I'm not too sure about that last bit about the zones?

[ChrisDearden]

Windows DNS is something you really want to know about if you are studing for your 70-29x exams

make a note of what DNS you currently have on your windows 7 box ( chances are it'll be your home router )

configure a forwarder on the DNS options of the DC to point to the router.

nb with the above conifguration your windows 7 box will have DNS problems when the DC is not powered on.

I would seriously consider not joining the windows 7 box to the domain , deploy a VM with XP on it if you want to test clients.

[nathan2o11]

I was merely going to join it to the domain to see it working etc. more foood for thought rather than anything else. Would like to know how to do it as it may be useful to know in the future.

I am reading through the books at present, but will take a look at some materials on DNS though thanks

Does joining a Win7 machine to a server 2003 domain cause problems then?

How do I go about configuring a forwarder on the DNS options?

Thanks

[ChrisDearden · Accepted solution]

Its not that joining the windows domain will cause you problems , but its a lot easier to have a client as a testbed that isn't hosting the rest of the test environment ( ie if you configure some evil GPO's on your client and that client is a VM , it wont affect anything else )

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323380

[nathan2o11]

Thats great Chris. Hopefully all the info I need should be on that Microsoft site.