Windows Server 2022 Active Directory Home Lab

Overview

This project documents a Windows home lab built to simulate a small business Active Directory environment. The lab demonstrates core IT support and system administration fundamentals relevant to entry-level helpdesk and MSP environments.

The goal of this lab is to gain hands-on experience with domain controllers, client domain joining, DNS configuration, and shared resource management in a controlled virtual environment.

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Lab Architecture

Environment

• Hypervisor: Oracle VirtualBox
• Server OS: Windows Server 2022 Evaluation
• Client OS: Windows 11 Enterprise Evaluation
• Domain: lab.local

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Network Configuration

• Internal virtual network for domain communication
• NAT adapter for internet access
• Domain controller assigned a static IP address
• Client configured to use the domain controller as DNS

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Purpose

This lab was built to develop practical experience with:

• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) setup
• DNS configuration and troubleshooting
• Joining Windows clients to a domain
• Virtual network configuration
• Technical documentation and troubleshooting workflow

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Implementation Steps

1. Domain Controller Setup

• Installed Windows Server 2022
• Installed Active Directory Domain Services
• Promoted the server to a domain controller
• Configured DNS services
• Assigned a static IP address

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2. Client Domain Join

• Installed Windows 11 Enterprise Evaluation
• Configured DNS to point to the domain controller
• Joined the client to the lab.local domain
• Verified domain authentication

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3. Active Directory Authentication

• Created a domain user account in Active Directory
• Successfully joined Windows 11 client to the domain
• Verified domain login using domain credentials

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4. Creating Organizational Units (OUs)

• Default Active Directory containers do not support Group Policy
• Created custom Organizational Units (OUs) at the domain root and moved user and computer objects into them for proper Group Policy scoping.

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5. Creating a Wallpaper Group Policy (GPOs)

• Created folder on Domain Controller with 2 (IT & General Staff) wallpapers in it
• Created Desktop Wallpaper Group Policy to force image as wallpaper
• Verified policy application using gpresult and user logoff/logon testing

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6. Create Data-Share Folder (File Share)

• Created folder on Domain Controller with 2 (IT & General Staff) folders in it
• Set permissions so IT has full control & Staff has access to their folder
• Used Active Directory security groups to control access to shared folders

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Skills Developed

• Windows Server administration
• Active Directory management
• Creating Basic Group Policies
• Beginner File Sharing permissions
• DNS troubleshooting
• Network configuration
• Virtual lab design
• Technical documentation

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Challenges & Troubleshooting

Windows 11 not joining domain

Issue: Client initially failed to join the domain due to incorrect DNS configuration.

Resolution: Manually configured the client to use the domain controller as its DNS server, restoring domain communication.

Windows 11 Upgrade

Issue: Windows 11 Home edition could not upgrade to Enterprise for domain joining.

Resolution: Performed a clean installation of Windows 11 Enterprise Evaluation ISO to ensure full domain compatibility.

Incorrect File Sharing Permissions

Issue: Wallpaper wouldn't set on Client device

Resolution: Tested folder access using run which failed, I reconfigured folder permissions on the Domain Controller and logged back into the Client.

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