Verify that your windows 7 machine and your windows 2012 r2 server can ping each other by ip address.
Windows server 2012 machine name.
Windows server 2012 r2 original kb number.
Right click this pc icon.
Type shutdown r t 0 to reboot the server.
Take note that in this example you will configure membership using windows 7 but you can use any other windows machine.
Before joining the server to the domain you need to give it a unique name to identify it on the network.
Using your keyboard click on both keys together.
If you have a dhcp server then you can skip this step.
Check this article to see how to rename windows server 2012 computer name.
How to change computer name in windows server 2012.
The topics that are discussed include the valid characters for names the minimum and maximum name lengths reserved names names that we do not recommend and general recommendations that are based on supporting active directory in small medium and large.
Replace cn1 with the name of the computer and vdomain with the domain name.
After the machine reboot logon again and check the computer name inside local server.
This information applies to windows server 2012 and windows server 2012 r2.
Click a window icon located on left most corner of task bar step 2.
You will also need to setup the ip address of the server.
The system window will open.
Another method to change the computer name is using the charm bar to open server info.
Type the domain administrator password and click ok to complete the change.