Joining a Machine to the Domain

-Starting the client machine

-Changing the Computer Name

-Disabling the Firewall

-Q&A -Determining Connectivity with the Domain

-Joining the client machine to the Domain

-Q&A – Is the client machine on the domain?

Introduction

In prior training, we created a server machine and a client machine. In this training, we will join the client machine to the domain.

Starting the client machine

Launch VMware.

From within VMware’s Navigator pane, select the client machine.

Power on the client machine, if necessary.

Click Console
(Drop down menu displays)

Click Open Browser Console
(Client machine desktop displays.)

Click Actions/Guest OS/Send keys / Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
(sends action to client machine to bring up log in screen)

Log in to the client computer.
(We are now working inside the “helpdesk” client machine).

Changing the Computer Name

Every computer comes with a long, generic name. Let’s change it to something easier to deal with.

Within the “helpdesk” machine, open File Explorer.

Right – click This PC.

Click Properties.
(“System” screen displays)

Click Change Settings.
(“System Properties” dialog box displays).

Click Change.
(“Computer Name/Domain Changes” dialog box displays).

NOTE: In our class scenario, this computer will be used by a Help desk tech.

In the Computer name field overwrite the existing computer name. Enter a name– e.g., “helpdesk”.

Click OK.
(Prompt may display saying computer must re-start;
“Computer Name/ Domain Changes” dialog box closes).

Click Close.
(“System Properties” dialog box closes).

The client computer machine name has been changed to “helpdesk”.

Disabling the Firewall

The firewall is not typically turned off. However, we do this for our lab environment.

Click in Windows Search field and enter “Firewall”.
(“Windows Defender Firewall” app displays).

Click Windows Defender Firewall.
(“Windows Defender Firewall” screen displays).

Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
(“Customize Settings” screen displays).

Check Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended). in both ‘Private network settings’ and ‘Public network settings’ areas.

Click OK.
(Firewall is disabled.)

Restart the machine.

Q&A -Determining Connectivity with the Domain

Question: How would we determine if there is connectivity between the “helpdesk” client machine and the Domain Controller (“dcxx” server machine)?

Answer: You can ping the server. (see steps following)

Steps: In the “helpdesk” computer, at the command line, enter “ping [server name]”. You could also ping by entering the server’s IP address.

NOTE: In this case, the server is called “dcjk”. Different students will have named their DC servers differently.

If the ping is successful, the connectivity is confirmed.

The ping was successful and connectivity between the Help desk machine and the DC is confirmed. So, we know that the two devices ( “dcjk” server and “helpdesk” client machine) can talk to each other.

Joining the client machine to the Domain

Now we will join the “helpdesk” client computer to the Domain. This process is also known as “joining a computer to Active Directory”.

Within the “helpdesk” client machine, open File Explorer.

Right – click This PC.

Click Properties.
(“System” screen displays)

Click Change Settings.
(“System Properties” dialog box displays).

Click Change.
(“Computer Name/Domain Changes” dialog box displays).

In Member of area, click Domain.

Enter the name of the domain (e.g., “dcjk.jobskillshare.org”)

Click OK.
(Confirmation prompt displays).

NOTE: You will be prompted to re-start the machine.

Q&A – Is the client machine on the domain?

Question: How would you show that the “helpdesk” client machine is now on the domain?

Answer: You would look on the server.
(“Server Manager” on the Domain Controller machine is shown below).

Click Tools
(drop down menu displays).

Click on Active Directory Users and Computers.
(The domain “dcjk.jobskillshare.org” displays)

Expand dcjk.jobskillshare.org
(sub folders display).

Click on Computers.
(“HelpDesk” machine displays.)

The client machine is on the domain.