Using Microsoft's Server 2003, I know you have to setup a domain controller. Now within setting up the domain controller can you set up the DNS server? Or do you need to setup the DNS server before the domain controller? After all that is said and done, then do you go in and setup the DHCP server? Is the 3 main parts for setting up a domain: domain controller, DNS, DHCP....and then going ahead and creating user accounts in active directory?

In my experience, once you have configured the DC, it doesnt matter which you set up next, DNS or DHCP. You should be able to go into Manage Server from the start menu and select Add Role, then select either DHCP or DNS. You can also add it from add/remove windows components. For info on DNS you maight try this link: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-us;814591 Once you have DNS, DHCP (if needed) and a DC, you have the basics for a Domain and can move forward with your user account creation. Depending on your router, it can also hand out DHCP addresses. There are a few security risk for having a DHCP server on your DC ....according to MS.

Now then, what steps would I take on setting up the LAN with Internet. I have a DSL router, would i just plug that into the switch? Is there any configuration on the server i need to do? thanks

If you don't have DNS setup upon DCpromo'ing, you will be prompted to set DNS up. If you don't know DNS, allow DCPromo to setup your DNS for you. Security risks are more associated with NOT using Windows as the DHCP server, as Windows DHCP can do secure DNS updates, and has some checks against rogue DHCP servers. That is if you believe Microsoft over others. In reality, it is also a security risk since DHCP is another vector for attack on the server. Please help survivors of Hurricane Katrina! www.redcross.org

Now then, what steps would I take on setting up the LAN with Internet. I have a DSL router, would i just plug that into the switch? Is there any configuration on the server i need to do with DNS? thanks

uncommon21, You need to list the router's IP address as the default gateway in your NIC's TCP/IP properties. The router's IP address has to be on the same network. The router I installed had an IP address of 192.168.1.1, and by typing that address into IE's address bar I was taken to the setup page for the router. When prompted, I could enter anything for user but had to enter "admin" for the password. On this page, I was able to change the IP address if I needed to for the router to match the network's address. I would not have had to do this had my network had an address of 192.168.1.x/24. Hope this helps.

So, by enterning my routers IP address as my default gateway in TCP/IP properties, this will setup the LAN with internet? All i would have to do is plug into switch and set up machines to obtain IP address automatically and I am online?