How to add a Mac OS X PC to Active Directory

In this tutorial I will demonstrate how to add a Mac OS X computer to an Active Directory in Windows Server 2003. 

To begin go to 'System Preferences' > 'Accounts' or press '[Command] button + Space Bar' and type 'Accounts'.

 

The 'Accounts' window will look like the screenshot above. Click 'Join' to add the Mac to the domain.

 

A sub-windows will be displayed on clicking 'Join' as shown above. Now click 'Open Directory Utility'.

 

 Make sure 'Active Directory' is ticked as shown above. And then click the 'Pen icon' as shown below. Then click on the 'Bind' button.

Enter the administrator credentials for your Active Directory and click 'OK'.

Once entered, the Mac will perform a list of steps to bind itself with the Active Directory.  

 

Once its successfully done, it will show 'Unbind'. Now you can choose to add advanced options to feel the full capabilities of Active Directories on Mac OS X. 

 

Clicking on the administrative tab, will allow administrators to carry out technical support to the Mac.  Just click 'Allow Administration by' and select the groups of administrators to control the Mac, and you'll be able to fully control your Macintosh PC Active Directory settings from your Windows Server.

 

Once these have all been configured, you will be able to see the status of connection to the Active Directory through 'Accounts' settings, by looking at the 'Network Account Server:'