Turning Server into a Domain Controller is a primarily way of making Windows network secured. With a domain controller we can install features like User Authentication, enforcing Group Policies, administering Resource Sharing and etc...
Though making an environment like Windows seems daunting, here are some of the first simple step to get when the most inexperienced users getting started.
Whether we are using a windows server or a client computer the step remain with the fact that we have to first open the Server manager software.
Now, not every system come pre-installed with the server manager especially when one is using the client computer. In this case an installation of the RSAT tools is required for this action. (RSAT tools installation is beyond the scope of this article)
Assuming, you've downloaded the Server Manager Software and open it up to show like this picture below
Add Role and Features Wizard
The first step will be to go to the Manage option to the upper right side of the window and select Add Roles and Features
The Add Roles and Features Wizard will be shown on the screen providing some steps.
All the user will be required to do is to keep clicking next until the part showing the server roles selection.
Here below are the list of roles in which the server can take part of it, Active Directory Domain Services is the correct check box to select for installing ADDS.
The user is instructed to keep selecting next until being insisted on the install selection.
Upon installing the ADDS, a domain controller configuration requirement alert will be shown on the upper right side of the server manager window. It is time to promote the Server to a domain controller.
Domain Controller Configuration
While going through the ADDS configuration, user will be demanded to specify a Root domain name. The user can name it anything he want. Keep clicking next until being required to click on the install button. Now, sometimes the user will be required to insert their password for security purpose before hand; which is something to keep in mind.
Note: While going through the configuration, there will be a prompt in DNS installation. The user don't need to do anything if its DNS has been installed.
After the whole configuration, a prompt for restart will be shown at the screen of the user. After restarting the system and upon logging in, the user will be shown the user login screen with the DOMAIN\username. Remember the Domain can be named anything and in the case of the picture below the domain was given the name "gibson".
In conclusion, this is how you turn a server or client into a domain controller. Users can also share the same domain, all they have to do is to change the configuration at the Domain Controller Wizard option after installing ADDS at their end.
As mention before a domain controller is one of the best way of securing all windows system. The reason is that we can install many security features, creating group policies for users and computers alike.