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layout: default title: Windows Server Administration Lab —

Windows Server Administration Lab (Domain Services & Core Administration)

This lab documents hands-on Windows Server administration tasks completed as part of the
“A Complete Course on Windows Server Administration” (Packt / Coursera).

The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate undestanding of core IT fundamentals and demonstrate hands-on experience in Windows administration, including Active Directory, domain services, system hardening, and administrative automation.

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Lab Environment

Hypervisor

• Oracle VirtualBox 7.2.4

Virtual Machines

• VM1: Windows Server 2022 (Domain Controller)
• VM2: Windows 11 Enterprise (Domain Member)

Network

• Static IP assigned to Domain Controller
• Internal network for domain communication

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Objectives

This lab demonstrates the ability to:

1. Deploy and manage virtual machines;
2. Perform basic VM resource management;
3. Administer Windows Server 2022, including:
   • Active Directory Domain Services;
   • User and group management;
   • Task scheduling;
   • Firewall configuration;
   • Update policies;
   • Backup configuration.

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Lab Tasks and Implementation

1. Windows Server 2022 Deployment

• Installed Windows Server 2022 on Oracle VirtualBox;
• Configured the server with a static IP address;
• Prepared the host to operate as a Domain Controller.

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2. Active Directory & Domain Controller Setup

• Installed Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS);
• Promoted the server to a Domain Controller;
• Created a new domain.

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3. Users and Groups Management

• Created domain users;
• Created security groups;
• Assigned users to appropriate groups.

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4. Windows 11 Domain Join

• Deployed Windows 11 Enterprise VM;
• Joined the workstation to the domain;
• Verified authentication against the Domain Controller.

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5. Website Deployment (IIS)

• Created a blank website using built-in Windows Server tools;
• Verified accessibility.

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6. Scheduled Task Configuration

• Created a scheduled reboot task for the host

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7. Firewall Configuration

• Added Windows Defender Firewall rules;
• Allowed DNS traffic between Domain Controller and domain host.

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8. FTP Server Setup

• Installed and configured an FTP server;
• Verified basic functionality.

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9. Domain Update Policy

• Configured update policies for domain-joined systems

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10. Backup Configuration

• Created a scheduled backup task

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Tools Used

• Oracle VirtualBox;
• Windows Server 2022;
• Windows 11 Enterprise;
• Active Directory Domain Services;
• Windows Defender Firewall;
• Task Scheduler;
• Group Policy.

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Key Skills Demonstrated

• Windows Server administration fundamentals;
• Active Directory setup and management;
• Domain-based identity management;
• Host-based firewall configuration;
• Administrative task automation;
• Infrastructure awareness relevant to SOC operations.

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Learning Outcomes

• Gained practical experience managing Windows Server infrastructure;
• Developed understanding of how enterprise identity systems operate;
• Built foundational knowledge required for security monitoring and incident response roles.

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Disclaimer

All systems used in this lab are non-production, simulated, and isolated. No real user data, credentials, or sensitive information were used.