The order in which you install Active Directory (AD) and a File Server largely depends on your specific requirements and the existing architecture, but generally, it's advisable to install Active Directory first. Here's why:
Centralized Management: Installing AD first allows you to centralize user and computer object management right from the get-go. This makes it easier to set permissions when you subsequently set up the File Server.
Group Policy: With AD already in place, you can leverage Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to manage settings on the File Server as soon as it joins the domain.
Security: AD allows for more robust security features, like Kerberos authentication. Having these features in place can enhance the security posture of your File Server once it's added to the domain.
Scalability: As you add more services and servers to your network, having AD in place offers a scalable way to manage access and permissions.
Ease of Setup: It's generally easier to join a File Server to an existing AD domain than it is to retrofit AD around a standalone File Server.
Simpler Initial Setup: If you need immediate, uncomplicated file sharing capabilities without the need for complex permissions or policies, then setting up a File Server first may meet your immediate needs.
Migration Complexity: If you set up a File Server first and then decide to integrate it into an AD domain later, you'll need to migrate local users and adjust permissions to align with AD users and groups, which can be complex.
Potential Downtime: Retrofitting a standalone File Server into an AD environment could entail some downtime, depending on the complexity of your setup.
In a nutshell, for most enterprise or scalable environments, installing Active Directory first provides more benefits in terms of centralized management, security, and scalability. Once AD is up and running, adding a File Server becomes a more streamlined process.