# Check Network ATC prerequisites before creating the first intent

> What must be settled before an initial Network ATC host-network deployment?

- Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-006-check-network-atc-prerequisites-before-creating-the-first-intent/
- Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security)
- Author: DSE Security Editorial Team
- Published: 2026-09-08T18:17:05+00:00
- Modified: 2026-09-08T18:17:13+00:00
- Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-09-08
- Resource type: Guide
- DSE priority: Information
- Topics: IT, Networks & Infrastructure
- Reading time: 1 minutes

## What you need to know

What must be settled before an initial Network ATC host-network deployment?

## Potentially affected

Use this review before creating the first intent.

## DSE recommendation

Prepare a node-by-node prerequisite worksheet and an adapter-role diagram.

## Article

## Source facts

Network ATC expresses management, compute, or storage requirements as adapter intents and automates the corresponding host-network configuration. The retrieved deployment guide requires Windows Server 2025 or later across a Windows Server cluster, or Azure Local 2311.2 or later for that platform. Microsoft emphasizes that ATC changes the deployment method, while the selected network scenario must still be supported. [Microsoft documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/network-atc/network-atc).

## Applicability

Use this review before creating the first intent. Identify the cluster platform and releases, intended adapter roles, and supported network scenario. Check the complete current requirements rather than inferring readiness from an installed feature.

## DSE recommendation

Prepare a node-by-node prerequisite worksheet and an adapter-role diagram. Have the network owner approve the intended management, compute, and storage arrangement before automation is invoked. Review the documented default values and record deliberate deviations. Preserve a working management route and identify who will investigate an intent that does not deploy successfully.

## Verification

After the approved pilot deployment, inspect the resulting intent state on each node and compare adapter assignments with the diagram. Test the selected management and workload paths. Record missing prerequisites or unexpected defaults as findings rather than manually changing unrelated settings. Resolve them before creating additional intents or extending the configuration to another cluster.

## Official references

[Microsoft Learn: Deploy host networking with Network ATC](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/network-atc/network-atc). Source reviewed September 8, 2026.

## Primary reference

- Name: Deploy host networking with Network ATC
- Authority: Microsoft Learn
- URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/network-atc/network-atc
- Source publication date: Not stated by the source

## Citation and use

Preferred citation: “Check Network ATC prerequisites before creating the first intent,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-006-check-network-atc-prerequisites-before-creating-the-first-intent/
Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/
Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/
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