Skip to content

01_Setup_Lab_Environment.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
executable file
·
134 lines (102 loc) · 4.59 KB

01_Setup_Lab_Environment.md

File metadata and controls

executable file
·
134 lines (102 loc) · 4.59 KB
Raw

🚀 Setting Up Your First Windows Server Lab Environment

🎯 What You'll Learn

  • How to set up a virtual machine for Windows Server
  • Basic Windows Server installation
  • Setting up Active Directory (AD) - the heart of Windows networking
  • Creating your first domain

📋 Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have:

  1. A computer with at least 8GB RAM and 100GB free disk space
  2. One of these virtualization programs installed:
  3. Windows Server ISO file (2019 or 2022 recommended)

🖥️ Step 1: Create Your Virtual Machine

Think of a virtual machine (VM) as a computer within your computer. Here's how to create one:

  1. Open your virtualization program (we'll use VirtualBox as an example)
  2. Click "New" or "Create Virtual Machine"
  3. Set these recommended settings:
    • Name: DC1 (DC stands for Domain Controller)
    • Type: Microsoft Windows
    • Version: Windows Server 2019 (64-bit)
    • Memory: 4096 MB (4GB)
    • Hard disk: 60 GB
    • Processors: 2

💿 Step 2: Install Windows Server

  1. Start your new VM

  2. When prompted, select your Windows Server ISO file

  3. Follow these installation steps:

    Language: English
Time format: Your local time
Keyboard: Your local keyboard

  4. Click "Install Now"

  5. Choose "Windows Server 2019 Standard (Desktop Experience)"

    • Desktop Experience gives you a graphical interface like regular Windows

🌐 Step 3: Configure Network Settings

  1. After installation, press Windows + X and select "Network Connections"

  2. Right-click your network adapter and select "Properties"

  3. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click "Properties"

  4. Enter these settings (adjust if your network is different):

    IP Address: 192.168.1.100
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DNS Server: 192.168.1.100 (same as IP address)

🏗️ Step 4: Install Active Directory

Active Directory is like a phone book for your network - it keeps track of all users, computers, and settings.

  1. Open "Server Manager" (it opens automatically after installation)
  2. Click "Add roles and features"
  3. Click "Next" until you reach "Server Roles"
  4. Check "Active Directory Domain Services"
  5. Click "Add Features" when prompted
  6. Click "Next" through the wizard
  7. Click "Install"
  8. Wait for installation to complete
  9. Click "Promote this server to a domain controller"

🎪 Step 5: Create Your First Domain

  1. In the "Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard":
    • Select "Add a new forest"
    • Enter your domain name: lab.local
    • Click "Next"
  2. Set a Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password:
    • This is like a master key for your domain
    • Use a strong password and write it down
    • Example: P@ssw0rd123!
  3. Click "Next" through the remaining steps
  4. Click "Install"
  5. The server will restart automatically

✅ Step 6: Verify Everything Works

  1. After restart, log in with your domain credentials
  2. Press Windows + R, type dsa.msc, and press Enter
    • This opens Active Directory Users and Computers
  3. You should see your domain (lab.local) with these folders:
    • Builtin
    • Computers
    • Domain Controllers
    • Users

🎉 Congratulations

You've just set up your first Windows Server domain! This is the foundation for:

  • Managing users and computers
  • Setting up security policies
  • Creating shared resources
  • And much more!

📚 Next Steps

❓ Common Issues and Solutions

  1. Can't connect to the internet?

    • Check your network adapter settings
    • Make sure your IP settings are correct

  2. Installation fails?

    • Make sure you have enough disk space
    • Verify your ISO file isn't corrupted

  3. Can't promote to domain controller?

    • Check if you have a static IP address
    • Make sure DNS is pointing to your server's IP

Need help? Check out 05_Troubleshooting.md for more detailed solutions!