How to create a single domain tree with two domains in Windows 2000

Every Domain Name System (DNS) name of a child domain in a hierarchy contains the name of the parent domain. This step-by-step article describes how to create a continuous namespace that spans two domains by adding a child domain.

How to create a single domain tree with two domains

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type dcpromo, and then click OK.
3. On the first Active Directory Installation Wizard page, click Next.
4. On the Domain Controller Type page, accept the default Domain Controller for a New Domain selection. Click Next.
5. On the Create Tree or Child Domain page, click Create a new child Domain in an existing domain tree, and then click Next.
6. On the Network Credentials page, type the following information, and then click Next to continue:
   User Name: Administrator
   Password: password
   Domain: domain name
7. On the Child Domain Installation page, type the parent domain name in the Parent Domain box (or click Browse to select the correct domain in the Browse for Domain dialog box). In the Child Domain box, type the child domain name, and then click Next.
8. On the NetBIOS Domain Name page, accept the suggested domain NetBIOS name. Click Next.
9. On the Database and Log Locations page, accept the default settings. Click Next.
10. On the Shared System Volume page, accept the default settings. Click Next.
11. On the Permissions page, verify that the default Permissions Compatible with Pre-Windows 2000 Server option is selected, and then click Next.
12. On the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator Password page, type a password in the Password and Confirm password boxes, and then click Next.
13. On the Summary page, which displays a summary of all of your configuration changes, click Next to complete the Active Directory configuration. This process might take several minutes.
14. On the final page, click Finish to complete the configuration.
15. Click Restart Now to cause the changes to take effect immediately.
16. Log on again as Administrator.
17. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Active Directory Domains and Trusts to start the Active Directory Domains and Trusts snap-in.
18. In the console tree, verify that the subdomain is listed as a child domain under the parent domain. All Active Directory domains are identified by a DNS name that includes the complete name of the parent domain.
19. Right-click the child domain object, and then click Manage. This starts the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
20. Open the Domain Controllers OU object. In the Details pane, right-click the second server object, and then click Properties.
21. Verify that the DNS name is correct.