Set the preferred DNS server using sconfig:

1. Type sconfig and press enter to open Server Configuration
2. Type 8 (Network Settings) and press enter
3. Type the number in the Index# column for the network interface you want to configure and press enter
4. Type 2 (Set DNS Servers) and press enter
5. Type the address for the preferred DNS server and press enter. This needs to be the IP address of the Domain Controller (DC). A pop-up box with message "Preferred DNS server set" appears. Select OK.
6. Type the address for the alternate DNS server and press enter (example: 8.8.8.8). A pop-up box with message "Alternate DNS server set" appears. Select OK.
7. Type 4 (Return to Main Menu) and press enter
8. Type 15 (Exit to Command Line) and press enter
9. Type ipconfig /all | less to verify the DNS servers have been set

Set the preferred DNS server using PowerShell:

1. In the command line of Server Core, type powershell and press enter
2. Use this command to join a domain, replacing x.x.x.x with the IP address of the Domain Controller (DC):
   • Do not be alarmed if PowerShell display an error message regarding the -InterfaceAlias option

Set-DNSClientServerAddress -InterfaceAlias Ethernet -ServerAddress x.x.x.x

After DNS has been set, PowerShell can be used to join the Server Core machine to the domain, replacing example with the actual domain name:

Add-Computer -DomainName example.local -Restart

If the Domain Controller is using Server Core, follow the steps to ensure the Server Core machine has been added to the domain:

1. In Server Manager, select Tools > Active Directory Users and Computers
2. If an Organizational Unit (OU) for MemberServers has not been created, right-click on the root of the domain, select New > Organizational Unit, and name the OU MemberServers
3. If the Server Core machine is listed in MemberServers, this verifies the Server Core machine has been joined to the domain