This project demonstrates the deployment and administration of a Windows Server Active Directory environment in a virtual lab. The purpose of this project is to develop hands-on experience with common help desk and system administration tasks typically performed in enterprise environments.
- ✅ Domain Controller deployed
- ✅ Active Directory and DNS configured
- ✅ Domain Controller health validated (DCDIAG)
- ✅ Organizational Units created
- ✅ Security Groups created
- ✅ Test Users created
- ✅ Windows 11 client joined to domain
- ✅ Domain authentication verified
- ✅ Active Directory deployment complete
- 🚧 Future administration tasks moved to separate repositories
- Configured Windows 11 client networking
- Joined CLIENT01 to
adlab.local - Verified DNS resolution
- Verified domain authentication
- Added screenshots and documentation
- Deploy a Windows Server Domain Controller
- Configure Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
- Create and manage Organizational Units (OUs)
- Create and manage users and security groups
- Join a Windows client to a domain
- Perform common help desk administration tasks
- Document the environment and troubleshooting process
- VMware Workstation Pro
- VirtualBox (optional migration platform)
| Device | Operating System | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DC01 | Windows Server 2022 | Domain Controller |
| CLIENT01 | Windows 11 | Domain Joined Workstation |
Domain Name: adlab.local
- Static IP Address:
192.168.66.10 - Subnet Mask:
255.255.255.0 - Preferred DNS Server:
192.168.66.10
- Static IP Address:
192.168.66.20 - Subnet Mask:
255.255.255.0 - Preferred DNS Server:
192.168.66.10
Figure 1: High-level network topology of the Active Directory home lab environment.
- DC01 – Windows Server 2022 Domain Controller and DNS Server
- CLIENT01 – Windows 11 Domain-Joined Workstation
- VMnet1 Host-Only Network – Internal lab communication
- Domain:
adlab.local
- Windows Server 2022
- Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
- DNS
- Windows 11
- PowerShell
- VMware Workstation Pro
- VirtualBox
- Git
- GitHub
- Active Directory installation and configuration
- Domain Controller deployment
- Organizational Unit (OU) management
- User account administration
- Security group administration
- DNS configuration and troubleshooting
- Windows Server administration
- Domain controller health validation
- PowerShell administration and automation
- Documentation and version control using Git and GitHub
adlab.local
└── Company
├── Users
├── Groups
├── Computers
├── Servers
└── Service Accounts
The Active Directory environment uses a structured Organizational Unit design to logically organize users, groups, computers, servers, and service accounts.
IT_Admins
HelpDesk
HR
Sales
| Name | Username | Group |
|---|---|---|
| John Smith | jsmith | IT_Admins |
| Sarah Brown | sbrown | HelpDesk |
| Emily Davis | edavis | HR |
| Mike Wilson | mwilson | Sales |
Test user accounts were created and organized within Active Directory to simulate users across multiple departments.
- Installed and configured Active Directory Domain Services
- Promoted server to Domain Controller
- Configured DNS
- Created Organizational Units (OUs)
- Created domain users
- Created security groups
- Added users to security groups
- Joined a Windows client to the domain
- Verified domain authentication
- Verified domain controller health using DCDIAG
- Documented configuration and screenshots
- Used PowerShell to automate administrative tasks
CLIENT01 was successfully joined to the adlab.local Active Directory domain.
Domain authentication was successfully verified from the Windows 11 client using an Active Directory user account.
Detailed implementation, administration, troubleshooting, and validation documentation can be found in the Documentation folder.
- Lab Setup Guide
- Installation Notes
- Help Desk Administration Tasks
- Troubleshooting Notes
- Domain Controller Validation
- Project Summary
The documentation includes configuration procedures, PowerShell and command-line validation, troubleshooting scenarios, and screenshot evidence demonstrating the completed lab environment.
- DNS is critical to Active Directory functionality.
- Virtual networking configuration directly impacts domain communication.
- Domain controllers should use static IP addressing.
- Documentation and screenshots simplify troubleshooting.
- PowerShell can automate many administrative tasks.
- Proper planning of OU and group structures improves manageability.
This project demonstrates practical experience relevant to:
- IT Support Technician
- Help Desk Analyst
- Service Desk Technician
- Desktop Support Technician
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Junior Network Administrator
- Installed Windows Server 2022
- Renamed server to DC01
- Configured static IP addressing
- Installed Active Directory Domain Services
- Promoted server to Domain Controller
- Validated DNS, SYSVOL, and DFS Replication health
- Created Organizational Units (OUs)
- Created security groups
- Created test users
- Added users to security groups
- Configured Windows 11 client networking
- Joined CLIENT01 to adlab.local
- Verified domain login
- Verified DNS resolution
- Collected implementation screenshots
- Updated project documentation
- Completed Active Directory deployment
Additional administration scenarios are being implemented in separate repositories.
The IT Helpdesk Lab expands on this Active Directory environment with ticket-based support and administration scenarios including:
- Password resets
- Account lockouts
- User onboarding and offboarding
- Shared folders and permissions
- NTFS permissions
- Network drive mapping
- Printer deployment
- DNS troubleshooting
- DHCP administration and troubleshooting
Planned scenarios include:
- Password policies
- Account lockout policies
- Desktop wallpaper deployment
- Drive mappings
- Workstation restrictions
Planned scenarios include:
- Bulk user creation
- OU creation scripts
- Group creation scripts
- Reporting and administration automation
This repository is considered complete and demonstrates the deployment of a Windows Active Directory environment from initial server installation through domain client integration.
Future administrative tasks and advanced scenarios will be documented in separate repositories.
Active-Directory-Lab
│
├── README.md
├── Network-Diagram.png
│
├── Documentation
│ ├── Domain-Controller-Validation.md
│ ├── Helpdesk-Tasks.md
│ ├── Installation-Notes.md
│ ├── Lab-Setup-Guide.md
│ ├── Project-Summary.md
│ └── Troubleshooting-Notes.md
│
└── Screenshots
├── Domain-Controller-Validation
│ ├── 01-Server-Renamed-To-DC01.png
│ ├── 02-dcdiag-dns-pass.png
│ ├── 03-repadmin-summary.png
│ ├── 04-net-share.png
│ ├── 05-dfsr-service.png
│ ├── 06-setspn-dc01.png
│ ├── 07-final-health-check-1.png
│ └── 08-final-health-check-2.png
│
├── AD-Users.png
├── Client-Domain-Login.png
├── Client-System-Properties.png
├── CLIENT01-Domain-Joined.png
├── DC01-DCDiag-01.png
├── DC01-DCDiag-02.png
├── DC01-DCDiag-03.png
├── DC01-DCDiag-04.png
├── DC01-DomainInfo.png
├── DC01-IPConfig.png
├── Group-Membership-ITAdmins.png
├── OU-Structure.png
└── Security-Groups.png
Austin Maggs
GitHub: https://github.com/Amaggs99
- IT Helpdesk Lab — Completed
- Group Policy Lab — Planned
- PowerShell AD Automation — Planned