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Active Directory Lab Setup Guide

Overview

This project demonstrates the deployment and administration of a Windows Server Active Directory environment using Windows Server 2022 and Windows 11 in a virtualized lab.

The objective of this lab is to simulate an enterprise Active Directory environment and develop practical system administration and troubleshooting skills.

Objectives

  • Install Windows Server 2022
  • Configure a Domain Controller
  • Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
  • Configure DNS
  • Create Organizational Units (OUs)
  • Create Domain Users and Security Groups
  • Deploy a Windows 11 client
  • Join the client to the domain
  • Validate Active Directory and DNS functionality
  • Document the deployment and troubleshooting process

Lab Environment

Virtualization Platform

  • VMware Workstation Pro
  • VirtualBox (optional)

Virtual Machines

Domain Controller (DC01)

Setting Value
Name DC01
Operating System Windows Server 2022
RAM 4 GB
CPU 2 vCPUs
Disk 60 GB
Role Domain Controller / DNS Server

Client Workstation (CLIENT01)

Setting Value
Name CLIENT01
Operating System Windows 11
RAM 4 GB
CPU 2 vCPUs
Disk 60 GB
Role Domain-Joined Workstation

Network Configuration

Host-Only Network (VMnet1)

Device IP Address DNS
DC01 192.168.66.10 192.168.66.10
CLIENT01 192.168.66.20 192.168.66.10

Subnet Mask:

255.255.255.0

Domain Information

Setting Value
Domain Name adlab.local
NetBIOS Name ADLAB
Forest Functional Level Windows Server 2022
Domain Functional Level Windows Server 2022

Server Configuration Steps

Step 1 – Install Windows Server 2022

  • Create virtual machine.
  • Install Windows Server 2022.
  • Set Administrator password.
  • Install VMware Tools.

Step 2 – Rename Server

Rename the server:

DC01

PowerShell:

Rename-Computer -NewName "DC01" -Restart

Step 3 – Configure Static IP Address

Configure:

Setting Value
IP Address 192.168.66.10
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Preferred DNS 192.168.66.10

DC01 Network Configuration

The Domain Controller was configured with a static IPv4 address and configured to use itself as the preferred DNS server.

DC01 IP Configuration

Step 4 – Install Active Directory Domain Services

Server Manager:

Manage
→ Add Roles and Features
→ Active Directory Domain Services
→ DNS Server

Step 5 – Promote Server to Domain Controller

Configuration:

Add a new forest

Domain:

adlab.local

Domain Controller Information

The completed Active Directory domain configuration was verified after DC01 was promoted to a Domain Controller.

DC01 Domain Information

Active Directory Structure

adlab.local
└── Company
    ├── Users
    ├── Groups
    ├── Computers
    ├── Servers
    └── Service Accounts

Organizational Unit Structure

The Active Directory Organizational Unit structure was created to logically organize users, groups, computers, servers, and service accounts.

Active Directory OU Structure

Security Groups Created

IT_Admins
HelpDesk
HR
Sales

Active Directory Security Groups

Security groups were created to support role-based access and departmental administration within the lab environment.

Active Directory Security Groups

Test Users Created

Name Username Department
John Smith jsmith IT
Sarah Brown sbrown Help Desk
Emily Davis edavis HR
Mike Wilson mwilson Sales

Active Directory User Accounts

Test user accounts were created and organized within Active Directory to simulate users from multiple departments.

Active Directory Users

Windows 11 Client Deployment

Configure Static Network

Setting Value
IP Address 192.168.66.20
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Preferred DNS 192.168.66.10

Rename Client

Rename-Computer -NewName "CLIENT01" -Restart

Join Client to Domain

Add-Computer -DomainName adlab.local -Credential adlab\Administrator -Restart

CLIENT01 Domain Membership

The Windows 11 client was successfully joined to the adlab.local Active Directory domain.

CLIENT01 Domain Joined

Verify Client System Properties

Windows System Properties were used to verify the workstation name and Active Directory domain membership.

CLIENT01 System Properties

Verify Domain User Authentication

Domain authentication was tested from CLIENT01 using an Active Directory user account.

Client Domain Login

Validation Steps

Verify Network Configuration

ipconfig /all

Verify DNS Resolution

nslookup adlab.local

Verify Connectivity

ping 192.168.66.10

Verify Domain Controller Health

dcdiag /v

Verify Domain Information

Get-ADDomain

Verify Forest Information

Get-ADForest

Screenshots Captured

  • DC01-IPConfig.png
  • DC01-DomainInfo.png
  • DC01-DCDiag-01.png
  • DC01-DCDiag-02.png
  • DC01-DCDiag-03.png
  • DC01-DCDiag-04.png
  • OU-Structure.png
  • Security-Groups.png
  • AD-Users.png
  • CLIENT01-Domain-Joined.png
  • Client-Domain-Login.png
  • Client-System-Properties.png

Skills Demonstrated

  • Windows Server Administration
  • Active Directory Administration
  • DNS Configuration
  • Virtual Networking
  • User and Group Administration
  • Domain Joining
  • PowerShell Administration
  • Troubleshooting
  • Documentation and Version Control

Final Status

This lab successfully demonstrates the deployment of a fully functional Active Directory environment from initial server installation through domain client integration.

This environment will serve as the baseline for future repositories covering:

  • IT Help Desk Administration
  • Group Policy Management
  • PowerShell Automation
  • File Server Administration