Install Certificate Authority

For a DC to support Smart Card authentication, each DC must have a certificate issued by a trusted CA. This CA can be either a trusted third-party authority or a local Active Directory Certificate authority. Use the following directions to install Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) and create a new local enterprise CA.

To install ACDS and create a new local enterprise CA:

1. Log on as a member of both the “Enterprise Admins” group and the root domain's “Domain Admins” group.

2. In Server Manager, select Manage, and then select Add Roles and Features. The Add Roles and Features Wizard opens.

3. In Select Installation Type, ensure that Role-Based or feature-based installation is selected, and then select Next.

4. Select destination server, ensure that Select a server from the server pool is selected. In Server Pool, ensure that the local computer is selected. Choose Next.

5. In Select Server Roles, in Roles, select Active Directory Certificate Services. When you are prompted to add required features, select Add Features, and then select Next.

6. In Select features, select Next.

7. In Active Directory Certificate Services, read the provided information, and then select Next.

8. In Confirm installation selections, select Install. Do not close the wizard during the installation process.

9. When installation is complete, select Configure Active Directory Certificate Services on the destination server. The AD CS Configuration wizard opens. Read the credentials information and, if needed, provide the credentials for an account that is a member of the Enterprise Admins group. Choose Next.

10. In Role Services, select Certification Authority, and then select Next.

11. On the Setup Type page, verify that Enterprise CA is selected, and then choose Next.

12. On the Specify the type of the CA page, verify that Root CA is selected, and then choose Next.

13. On the Specify the type of the private key page, verify that Create a new private key is selected, and then choose Next.

14. On the Cryptography for CA page, keep the default settings for CSP (RSA#Microsoft Software Key Storage Provider) and hash algorithm (SHA256), and determine the best key character length for your deployment. Large key character lengths provide optimal security; however, they can impact server performance and might not be compatible with legacy applications. It is recommended that you keep the default setting of 2048. Choose Next.

15. On the CA Name page, keep the suggested common name for the CA or change the name according to your requirements. Ensure that you are certain the CA name is compatible with your naming conventions and purposes, because you cannot change the CA name after you have installed AD CS. Choose Next.

16. On the Validity Period page, in Specify the validity period, type the number and select a time value (Years, Months, Weeks, or Days). The default setting of five years is recommended. Choose Next.

17. On the CA Database page, in Specify the database locations, specify the folder location for the certificate database and the certificate database log. If you specify locations other than the default locations, ensure that the folders are secured with access control lists (ACLs) that prevent unauthorized users or computers from accessing the CA database and log files. Choose Next.

18. In Confirmation, choose Configure to apply your selections, and then choose Close.

Alternatively, use the following PowerShell snippet to install and configure ADCS:

1. Install the ADCS Certificate Authority Windows Feature:

   Install-WindowsFeature ADCS-Cert-Authority -IncludeManagementTools

2. Create the Enterprise Root CA.

      Install-ADcsCertificationAuthority `
      -CAType EnterpriseRootCa `
      -CACommonName `
      -CADistinguishedNameSuffix $domainDistinguishedName `
      -CryptoProviderName "RSA#Microsoft Software Key Storage
      Provider" `
      -KeyLength 2048 `
      -HashAlgorithmName "SHA256"