New Test Domain

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win2000.setup (More info?)

In news:1453C219-CA55-428A-A011-E3C25902B45F@microsoft.com,
Just Smitty <Just Smitty@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
> We are conducting some training on installing and setting up Windows
> 2000 server. We want to install active directory, set up DNS, DHCP
> WINS and file and print services. We will be also installing
> exchange. We plan on setting up one server as the PDC, a router, 4
> laptops on two subnets and two networked printers. The server is in
> a controlled environment and will not have any network access outside
> of the router which will not be connected to any other network.
> Basically we are seting up a test site. With no outside network or
> internet access. Right now, the nics have been configured with
> static IPs. DNS is installed and the nics have thier individual IPs
> as the DNS IP. The NICs have no cables plugged in them.
>
> We started with the server and have gone through the initial setup
> process. We did not make the server a PDC during the initial setup
> process. We kept it on a work group to make it easy. Once windows
> was installed, we attempted to make the server the first/only server
> on a domain. We ran the "Configure This Server" wizard and keep
> running into the same error. When it gets to the installing the
> active directory portion. It says it cannot connect to the network
> and then cancels the setup without an option to continue. This is
> because there are no cables connected to the NICs. Is there a way to
> install DNS, Active Directory and WINS without a network connection.
> I could connect the server to our cisco router but it's not going to
> be connected either. I'm not sure it can be that simple. Is there a
> trick to doing this? Can it even be done? Any help you can give
> would be greatly appreciated!
>
> Bill Smith
> bill@onsitefast.com

All you need is a hub or a switch, my friend.