This document provides steps to add a client computer to a domain using DHCP in Windows Server 2012. It involves creating a DHCP scope with the appropriate IP range and options, then checking that the client computer's address lease is listed. On the client, the system properties are opened to change the computer to join the domain specified during DHCP configuration. Testing the domain name resolution and checking the forward lookup zones confirms successful domain join via DHCP.

1. How to add client computer into a domain using DHCP in Windows Server 2012
Created by: Rei Picar (A+, MCSA, MCP, MTA, NCII-CHS)
First thing to do is to create a DHCP Scope
Step 1: Right click on ipv4 and choose new scope
Step 2: Create Scope Name. Type your preferred name and add description

2. Step 3: Type the IP range for the scope you created.
Note: you should only edit the last set of start and end address for this will work. Never change the 1st to 3rd
set
Ex: 192.168.10.20-50
Step 4: Add exclusion and delay if there’s a device that you want to exclude from getting DHCP server address.

3. Step 5: Lease Duration. This will specify how long a client can use IP from the DHCP server. It is set by default to 8
days
Step 6: Choose Yes, I want to configure these options now

4. Step 7: Router (Default Gateway) In this section, just enter the default gateway of the server. Click Add once
you’re done You can get it by typing IPCONFIG in CMD

5. Step 8: For the client computer would connect to the Active Directory Domain, you need to enter the domain
name you created and it should be resolvable
Note: When you saw this error, it means the server address you entered is not valid or unable to resolve

6. Step 9: WINS is to convert NetBIOS computer names into IP address but since we used DNS, it is ok even we don’t
use WINS
Trivia: WINS is the old way to translate names to IP address
Step 10: Choose Yes to activate the scope you created

7. Now you’re done in creating DHCP Scope!
Second thing to do is to make sure that the client computer is in the address leases
Step 1: In DHCP Manager, Click the name of your DHCP Server
Step 2: Click IPV4
Step 3: Click Scope

8. Step 4: Click Address Leases
Step 5: In Address Leases, the client computer that you need to join to Active Directory Domain should be there
Once all the steps are completed, you can go to the client computer and join it to the Active
Directory Domain you created
Step 1: In client computer, press windows key + R and type sysdm.cpl (This will open System Properties)

9. Step 2: In System Properties, click change to add this computer to a domain
Step 3: Go to Member of and choose domain. Type the Active Directory domain name you created

10. Step 4: Enter Admin Credential. This will not work w/o admin privilege
Step 5: Restart and this should be done!

11. Things to check to make sure that this will work?
To make sure that this will work, ping the active directory domain name that you created using CMD. Type ping +
the domain name: ex ping picar.local
Go to Forward Lookup Zones and look for the active directory domain name that you created. The client
computer should be there. If not, you need to refresh the DHCP server
Don’t enter anything in WINS as this will conflict in DNS