Lab: Setting up Active Directory Domain Services

Lab Environment

• Host OS: Windows 11
• VM Platform: VirtualBox
• Guest OS: Windows Server 2022
• Network: Bridged Adaptor

Objective

Install and configure Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) to create a domain controller for a test network.

Steps Taken

1. Downloaded the Windows Server 2022 ISO from Microsoft Evaluation Center
2. Created a new VM in VirtualBox and installed the Server Core edition
3. Configured hostname and static IP

4. Installed the AD DS role with: ```powershell Install-WindowsFeature AD-Domain-Services

5. Promoted the server to a domain controller: ```powershell Install-ADDSForest -DomainName “mico.local”

6. Rebooted and verified AD installation with: ```powershell Get-WindowsFeature AD-Domain-Services

Issues Faced

• “sconfig” was hanging, had to resolve it by temporaryily disabling the network adapters
• Initial reboot failed until memory was increased from 2GB –> 4 GB

Skills Practiced

• Windows Server installation
• PowerShell usage in Server Core
• Domain creation and AD DS role configuration
• Troubleshooting issues with network and resource allocation