Installing SharePoint 2010 on a Domain Controller

If you are setting up your own test or development environment (particularly in a virtual machine), there is a good chance you will have to install all of the required SharePoint components into a single virtual machine. 

If you are using Windows Integrated Authentication or Forms Authentication with SharePoint 2010, you probably are fine with doing a Single Server installation of SharePoint 2010.  This installation is pretty straightforward since it installs SQL Server Express for you as sets up a default configuration of SharePoint 2010 for you.

However, if you need to work with Claims-based Authentication and your organization is using ADFS (Active Directory Federation Services) v. 2.0,  you will definitely need to set up a domain controller on your virtual machine since ADFS v. 2.0 does not function without a domain controller.

Unfortunately, once you set up a domain controller on your virtual machine and then attempt to install SharePoint 2010, you will quickly realize that you are no longer able to install a Single Server installation.  Instead, when you run the SharePoint Configuration Wizard, you will be forced to install a SharePoint Farm installation.

Below are some of the steps required to install a SharePoint 2010 Farm installation on a domain controller:

1. Since the Server Farm installation will no longer install SQL Server 2008 Express as part of your installation, you will have to download SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 R2 separately and install it.  Since you are installing SQL Server 2008 into a single server virtual environment, SQL Server 2008 R2 Express SP1 is probably suitable.  Not only is it a quick(er) installation than the full version of SQL Server 2008 R2 (Developer or Enterprise Edition), it also has a smaller memory footprint (limited to 1 GB) and it includes the installation of SP1.  The Developer and Enterprise Editions of SQL Server 2008 R2 will still require you to install SP1 separately.  I would recommend installing the version with SQL Server Management Studio (WT--With Tools) or you can alternatively install the version with Advanced Services which also includes SQL Server Reporting Services.  You can download SQL 2008 R2 Express from here: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=26729
2. Once that is complete, you can now start the SharePoint 2010 Products Configuration Wizard
3. After launching the Configuration Wizard, you can click on the Next button to proceed with the installation.  If you are prompted to re-start IIS, click Yes to proceed.
4. As stated earlier, SharePoint 2010 will require a Farm installation rather than a Single Server installation, therefore, you will want to select the option to "Create a new server farm"
5. Depending on how you configured your SQL 2008 R2 Express instance, you can enter the database host name credentials here.  NOTE: The SharePoint 2010 Configuration Wizard does not accept nor recognize host names such as (local), therefore, you will have to enter the ACTUAL server host name.
6. For the Database Access account, enter the name of a Domain User Account.  Since this is simply a test or development environment, it is probably acceptable to utilize the default Administrator account, however, this is DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED for production system installations.  After entering this information, click on the Next button.
7. You will now be prompted to enter a Passphrase for the SharePoint Farm.  Enter an appropriate Passphrase and click the Next button.
8. You can now specify a port for SharePoint Central Administration.  If you are configuring SharePoint for use with Team Foundation Server,  you will probably want to specify the port as 17012.  However, if you are not using it with Team Foundation Server, you can accept the default port configuration and click the Next button.
9. The SharePoint Configuration Wizard will then display the Configuration Settings dialog.  You should either take a screenshot or printout of this information for future use in case you ever forget any of the settings at a later point in time.  You can then click the Next button to proceed with the configuration process.
10. If everything goes well, you should finally see the Configuration Successful dialog.  Clicking Finish will close the Configuration Wizard and launch a Web Browser to proceed with the configuration of the SharePoint Farm.
11. Once the Web Browser launches, you will have the option of starting a wizard to begin configuring the SharePoint Farm or to manually configure all of the options.  You will want to click the button for "Start the Wizard".
12. On the following screen, you will be able to configure the various SharePoint Services for the Farm as well as a Managed Account to run all of the various services.  Once again, it is recommended that you create a separate managed account for production systems, but for development and testing purposes, it is acceptable to continue using the Administrator account.  Click on the Next button to continue.
13. Once the Service Configuration is complete, you should see a screen that allows you to create your SharePoint Top-Level Web Site.  
14. You can then enter a Title and Description for the Web Site.  In addition, depending on your needs, you can create the Web Site at the root of the site, as a My Site, or under the /sites collection.  
15. You can then select a template for the site such as a Team Site or one of various other built-in SharePoint Site Templates.  If you wish to upload your own custom template with custom branding, you can upload that at a later time and simply create a Blank Site or a Custom Site.
16. After entering your options, click on the OK button to continue creating the SharePoint Top-Level Web Site.
17. After the Web Site has been successfully created, you should finally see the Farm Configuration completion screen.
18. Click on the Finish button to return to Central Administration.