Active-Directory-AD-Lab-Environment

🧪 Active Directory Lab Build

A step-by-step project to build a virtualized Active Directory (AD) lab for learning, testing, or cybersecurity training purposes. This project uses virtual machines (VMs) to simulate a Windows domain environment, including a Domain Controller, workstations, and optionally a Linux attacker box (e.g., Kali Linux).

🗂️ Lab Overview

This lab includes:

• Domain Controller (Windows Server 2022)
• Windows Workstation(s) (Windows 10)
• Attacker VM (Kali Linux)
• Virtualization Platform: VMware Workstation
• Networking: Internal NAT

⚙️ Requirements

• 16+ GB RAM (32 GB recommended)
• 100+ GB disk space
• VirtualBox / VMware / Proxmox
• Windows Server ISO (2019 or 2022)
• Windows 10/11 ISO
• Optional: Kali Linux ISO

🔧 Installation Steps

• Setting up the Domain Controller

• Create new Virtual machine

• Configuration - Typical(Recommended)

  

• Select the drive

  

• Select split virtual disk into multiple files

• Finish

• Edit this virtual machine

• Increase ram from 2gb to 4/8gb

  

• Power on

• windows server setup

  

• Select Standard Evaluation (Desktop Experience)

  

• Parition and Install the operating system

• Set Password for the Admin account

  

• Login

• In Server Manager, Manage > Add roles and Features

  

• Role based installation

  

• Add Actice directory domain services

  

• Install

• Promote this server to Domain Controller

• Add new forest

• Add your password

  

• NetBIOS Name

  

• Install Restart and Login

• Server Manager > Manage > Add roles and features

• Add Active Directory Cerificate Services

• Make sure the Certificate Authority is checked

• Install

• Configure Active Directory Certificate Services

  

• Rest stays default

• Restart the server

• Domain Controller Setup is now completed

• Install the other workstations

• Setup Users, Groups and Policies

• Join user machines to the domain

Active Directory (AD) lab environment is ready to use.