Building a Windows Server 2012 Domain Controller from Scratch

Recently I had to build a new domain controller to replace our 10 year old one. We like to run servers into the ground here before replacing them. I didn't want to pay a lot but I wanted high performance so I decided to build a custom server one from scratch. Support for Windows Server 2012 was a must, along with built-in USB 3.0 which we use for offsite backups. This server is amazingly fast, with reboots under 10 seconds and it never breaks a sweat at doing its job 24/7. Here's the build log of parts needed:

• Memory: 2 x Kingston Technology ValueRAM 8GB DDR3 1600MHz PC3 12800 ECC CL11 DIMM with TS Server Workstation Memory KVR16E11/8
• System Hard Drives: 2 x Samsung Electronics 840 Pro Series 2.5-Inch 256 GB SATA 6GB/s Solid State Drive MZ-7PD256BW
• DVD Reader: Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive - Bulk - IHAS124-04 (Black)
• Hot Swap Cage: ICY DOCK ToughArmor MB996SP-6SB 6 x 2.5 SATA 6Gbps HDD / SSD Mobile Rack / Cage in 1 x 5.25 bay
• Tower Case: Corsair Carbide Series White 500R Mid Tower Computer Case (CC-9011013-WW)
• Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series CP-9020039-NA650W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular High Performance Power Supply
• Motherboard: Supermicro Motherboard ATX DDR3 1600 LGA 1150 Motherboards X10SAE-O
• Processer: Intel Xeon E3-1245V3 Haswell 3.4GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Server Processor BX80646E31245V3
• Backup Hard Drive: WD Green 2 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, SATA III, 64 MB Cache - WD20EZRX

Now, lets go over a few things about putting this server together. Use the two SSD hard drives to install the operating system on and configure Windows Server 2012 Software RAID 1 (Mirroring). This will protect you in case one of the system drives fail.

The Western Digital 2 TB Green hard drive is where you want to save your nightly server backups in case the whole machine needs to get recovered to a certain point in time. You should also run a full server backup regularly onto a USB 3.0 external drive and keep it offsite in the event of any disaster.