If you proceed, Windows will automatically configure this server as a domain controller and set up Active Directory, DHCP, and DNS on your network. These are core services that enable you to set up and manage network objects, such as printers and user accounts, and many other advanced features.

Caution
Do not proceed if another server on your network is already running any of these services.

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Learn more about Active Directory.

Learn more about DHCP.

Learn more about DNS.

Active Directory
The directory service included with Windows 2000 Server. It stores information about objects on a network and makes this information available to users and network administrators. Active Directory gives network users access to permitted resources anywhere on the network using a single logon process. It provides network administrators with an intuitive hierarchical view of the network and a single point of administration for all network objects.
DHCP
A TCP/IP service protocol that offers dynamic leased configuration of host IP addresses and distributes other configuration parameters to eligible network clients. DHCP provides safe, reliable, and simple TCP/IP network configuration, prevents address conflicts, and helps conserve the use of client IP addresses on the network. DHCP uses a client/server model where the DHCP server maintains centralized management of IP addresses that are used on the network. DHCP-supporting clients can then request and obtain lease of an IP address from a DHCP server as part of their network boot process. DHCP is also called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.
DNS
A static, hierarchical name service for TCP/IP hosts. The network administrator configures the DNS with a list of host names and IP addresses, allowing users of workstations configured to query the DNS to specify remote systems by host names rather than IP addresses. For example, a workstation configured to use DNS name resolution could use the command ping remotehost rather than ping 1.2.3.4 if the mapping for the system named remotehost was contained in the DNS database. DNS domains should not be confused with Windows 2000 networking domains.