As an IT administrator, you undoubtedly know how important it is to create organizational units (OUs). These units help in the management of your Active Directory network by grouping users, computers, and other objects. For Windows Server 2016, creating OUs is an important task that you must master.
By creating OUs, you can easily manage permissions, group policies, and other settings for your users and computers. Failing to create OUs can lead to a chaotic network environment. Therefore, this article aims to help you understand the process of creating organizational units on Windows Server 2016, and the different methods that you can use.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we proceed to the different methods that you can use to create OUs, you’ll need to ensure that you have the following:
- A Windows Server 2016 machine
- Administrator access to the server
- Basic knowledge of Active Directory and its components
What Requires Your Focus?
To create OUs on Windows Server 2016, you’ll need to focus on the following:
- The structure of your Active Directory domain
- User and computer object placement
- Security, permissions, and delegation settings
Different Methods to Create Organizational Unit on Windows Server 2016
There are several methods you can use to create OUs on Windows Server 2016. The following are the most common methods that you can use:
Method 1: Using Active Directory Users and Computers
Active Directory Users and Computers is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that is used to manage objects in an Active Directory environment. Here are the detailed steps to create OUs using this method:
- Log into your Windows Server 2016 machine and launch the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
- Expand the domain node in the console tree and right-click the domain or an OU in which you wish to create a new OU. Select New > Organizational Unit.
- Type in the name of the new OU, and then click OK.
- The new OU is now created and ready for use.
Pros:
- This method is easy and straightforward to use.
- You can easily manage and configure OUs and their properties from one console.
Cons:
- You need to manually configure the delegation, security, and permissions settings for each OU.
- This method is not ideal for bulk creation of OUs.
Method 2: Using PowerShell
PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool that is used to automate administrative tasks in Windows environments. Here are the detailed steps to create OUs using PowerShell:
- Launch PowerShell with administrative privileges.
- Type the following command to load the Active Directory module:
Import-Module ActiveDirectory
- Use the following command to create the new OU:
New-ADOrganizationalUnit -Name "" -Path ""Replace with the name of the new OU, and with the path of the parent OU or domain in which to create the new OU.
- The new OU is now created.
Pros:
- You can easily create multiple OUs using the bulk creation feature of PowerShell.
- You can also configure delegation and permissions settings quickly using PowerShell.
Cons:
- This method requires basic knowledge of PowerShell commands.
- Any mistake in PowerShell commands can lead to unwanted consequences.
Method 3: Using Group Policy
Group Policy is a Windows feature that is used to configure and manage user and computer settings in an Active Directory environment. Here are the detailed steps to create OUs using Group Policy:
- Log into your Windows Server 2016 machine and launch the Group Policy Management snap-in.
- Expand the domain and right-click the Group Policy Objects container. Select New.
- Type in a name for the new GPO, and then click OK.
- Right-click the new GPO, and then click Edit.
- The Group Policy Management Editor is now open. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Restricted Groups.
- Right-click the Restricted Groups setting, and then click Add Group.
- Type in the name of the new OU in the Group Name field.
- Click Browse, and then select the domain or OU in which you wish to create the new OU.
- Click OK on each of the open windows to save your settings.
- The new OU is now created.
Pros:
- You can create OUs and configure their delegation and permissions settings from a central console.
- You can enforce policies across multiple OUs using Group Policy.
Cons:
- This method requires basic knowledge of Group Policy settings.
- Group Policy settings can be complicated and hard to troubleshoot in large networks.
Method 4: Using CSVDE Tool
The CSVDE (comma-separated values data exchange) tool is a command-line tool that is used to export and import Active Directory objects to and from CSV files. Here are the detailed steps to create OUs using the CSVDE tool:
- Log into your Windows Server 2016 machine and launch the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
- Type the following command to export a list of your current OUs to a CSV file:
csvde -f -r "(objectClass=organizationalUnit)" -l "dn"
Replace with the path where you would like to save the exported CSV file.
- Open the exported CSV file with Microsoft Excel or any other spreadsheet software.
- Create a new row, and then fill out the necessary details for the new OU.
- Save the CSV file.
- Type the following command to import the new OU from the CSV file:
csvde -i -f
Replace with the path of the CSV file that you saved.
- The new OU is now created.
Pros:
- You can easily create multiple OUs using the bulk creation feature of the CSVDE tool.
- You can create new OUs with all necessary details required in one go.
Cons:
- This method requires basic knowledge of CSVDE commands and their usage.
- Any mistakes in the CSV file or CSVDE commands can lead to unwanted consequences.
Why Can’t I Create Organizational Unit on Windows Server 2016?
There are several common issues that may prevent you from creating OUs on Windows Server 2016. The following are the most common reasons why you might be unable to create OUs, and how to fix them:
1. You don’t have sufficient permissions
A lack of permission is the most common reason why you might be unable to create OUs. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to create OUs. If you are running Group Policy, make sure that you have been delegated the appropriate permissions.
2. You are trying to create an OU in an invalid location
Make sure that you are creating the OU in a proper location, such as a domain or another OU. Creating an OU in an invalid location can lead to errors and other issues.
3. Active Directory is down or not running
Check that Active Directory is running properly. If it isn’t running, you may not be able to create OUs until it’s up and running again.
Implications and Recommendations
Creating OUs is an important task that should be taken seriously. Failure to create OUs can lead to a chaotic network environment that is difficult to manage. On the other hand, creating too many OUs or using complex OU structures can also lead to management difficulties. Therefore, it is important to plan and design your OU structure carefully, and to create a manageable number of OUs that reflect your organization’s hierarchy and requirements.
5 FAQs About Creating OUs on Windows Server 2016
Q1: Can I create OUs in bulk?
A: Yes, you can create OUs in bulk using PowerShell commands or the CSVDE tool.
Q2: Should I create too many OUs?
A: No, you should not create too many OUs. Too many OUs can make your network environment more complex and difficult to manage.
Q3: Should I use complex OU structures?
A: No, you should not use complex OU structures. Instead, you should design your OU structure to reflect your organization’s hierarchy and requirements.
Q4: Are there any tools available to help me create OUs?
A: Yes, there are several tools available, such as PowerShell and the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in, to help you create OUs.
Q5: Can I create OUs with different permissions and delegation settings?
A: Yes, you can create OUs with different permissions and delegation settings. You can configure these settings using the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in, Group Policy, or PowerShell.
In Conclusion
Creating organizational units on Windows Server 2016 is a vital task for IT administrators. A well-designed OU structure can help to organize and manage objects in an Active Directory environment, while a poorly designed one can lead to a chaotic network environment. As explained above, there are several methods that you can use to create OUs on Windows Server 2016. You can choose the method that best suits your organization’s needs and requirements.{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Can I create OUs in bulk?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Yes, you can create OUs in bulk using PowerShell commands or the CSVDE tool.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Should I create too many OUs?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” No, you should not create too many OUs. Too many OUs can make your network environment more complex and difficult to manage.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Should I use complex OU structures?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” No, you should not use complex OU structures. Instead, you should design your OU structure to reflect your organization’s hierarchy and requirements.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Are there any tools available to help me create OUs?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Yes, there are several tools available, such as PowerShell and the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in, to help you create OUs.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:” Can I create OUs with different permissions and delegation settings?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” Yes, you can create OUs with different permissions and delegation settings. You can configure these settings using the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in, Group Policy, or PowerShell.”}}]}
