Windows Server 2025 · Active Directory DS · DNS · Domain Controller · VMware · Windows 10
This project demonstrates the complete build of a Windows Server domain infrastructure from scratch in an isolated virtual environment.
It covers every step from VM provisioning and OS installation to Active Directory deployment, domain controller promotion, and client integration — reflecting the full skill set required for Junior Sysadmin, IT Support, and Network Administrator roles.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Domain Controller | Windows Server 2025 (Standard Desktop Experience) |
| Client Machine | Windows 10 |
| Network Type | Host-only — isolated internal network |
| Virtualization | VMware Workstation |
| Machine | IP Address | DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2025 | 192.168.56.10 | 192.168.56.10 (self) |
| Windows 10 Client | 192.168.56.20 | 192.168.56.10 |
Windows Server 2025 · Active Directory DS · DNS · Domain Controller · Server Manager · VMware Workstation · Windows 10 · ADDS Role
Lab
├── Part 1 — Windows Server Installation & Network Configuration
├── Part 2 — Active Directory Deployment & DC Promotion
├── Part 3 — Active Directory Management (OUs & Users)
└── Part 4 — Windows 10 Client Setup & Domain Join
Provisioned a VMware virtual machine and installed Windows Server 2025 with full Desktop Experience, then configured a static IP for the domain environment.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Edition | Windows Server 2025 Standard (Desktop Experience) |
| IP Address | 192.168.56.10 |
| Subnet Mask | 255.255.255.0 |
| DNS Server | 192.168.56.10 (loopback — DC is its own DNS) |
📸 Screen 1 — VMware VM creation
📸 Screen 2 — CPU, memory, and BIOS configuration
📸 Screen 3 — Windows Server boot process
📸 Screen 4 — Windows Server edition selection
📸 Screen 5 — First boot — installation confirmed
📸 Screen 5.1 — Static IP and DNS configuration
Installed the AD DS role via Server Manager and promoted the server to a Domain Controller:
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Add Roles & Features | Selected AD DS role | ✅ Installed |
| Promote to DC | New forest creation | ✅ Promoted |
| DNS Integration | Auto-configured with AD | ✅ Active |
| Domain Login | Authenticated via domain | ✅ Success |
📸 Screen 6 — Server Manager dashboard
📸 Screen 7 — Add Roles and Features wizard
📸 Screen 8 — Active Directory DS role selection
📸 Screen 9 — Installation confirmation
📸 Screen 10 — Domain Controller promotion initiated
📸 Screen 11 — DC setup and DNS configuration
📸 Screen 12 — Successful domain login
Managed the domain structure using Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC):
- Opened AD Users and Computers console
- Created Organizational Units to structure the domain
- Added domain users assigned to their respective OUs
📸 Screen 13 — Active Directory Users and Computers console
📸 Screen 14 — Organizational Units created
📸 Screen 15 — Domain users added
Installed Windows 10 on a second VM, configured networking, and successfully joined the domain:
| Step | Configuration | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 install | Standard edition | ✅ Installed |
| Network setup | IP: 192.168.56.20 · DNS: 192.168.56.10 | ✅ Configured |
| Domain join | Joined domain via System Properties | ✅ Success |
| Domain login | Authenticated with domain user | ✅ Pass |
📸 Screen 17 — Windows 10 edition selection
📸 Screen 18 — Windows 10 first boot
📸 Screen 18.1 — Client network configuration
📸 Screen 19 — Domain join completed
📸 Screen 20 — Domain login from client
- Provisioned and configured Windows Server 2025 from scratch in VMware
- Deployed Active Directory Domain Services and promoted server to Domain Controller
- Configured DNS integrated with Active Directory
- Created Organizational Units and domain users
- Installed Windows 10 client and successfully joined the domain
- Validated end-to-end domain authentication from client machine
| Category | Skills |
|---|---|
| Windows Server | Installation, configuration, Server Manager, roles & features |
| Active Directory | AD DS deployment, DC promotion, ADUC, OUs, user management |
| DNS | Active Directory-integrated DNS, static IP, DNS resolution |
| Networking | Static IP configuration, client-server connectivity |
| Virtualization | VMware Workstation, multi-VM lab design |
This project directly demonstrates skills required for:
- Junior System Administrator
- IT Support Technician
- Network Administrator
Lab built in an isolated VMware environment — all configurations documented with screenshots and test results.