Mastering Active Directory in a Home Lab

Module 2: Building Your Active Directory Domain

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Active Directory

What is Active Directory?

What are Domains, Domain Controllers, and Forests?

Single domain vs. multi-domain forests

The Forest Root Domain.

Domain functional levels and forest functional levels.

Using the Server Manager to install the Active Directory Domain Services role.

Running the Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard.

Choosing a domain name. Explain domain naming best practices.

Setting the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM) password. Importance of DSRM.

Understanding the database and log file locations.

Promoting a Server to a Domain Controller

• Lesson 2: DNS and Active Directory Integration (10-15 mins)

What is DNS? Why is it crucial for Active Directory?

Active Directory Integrated DNS zones

Verifying DNS settings on the Domain Controller.

Explanation of common DNS records (A, SRV, CNAME).

• Lesson 3: Creating Users, Groups, and OUs (15-20 mins)

Introduction to Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC).

Creating Organizational Units (OUs) to organize users and computers.

Creating user accounts with strong passwords.

Managing user properties (profile, logon hours, etc.).

Introduction to Active Directory groups (security and distribution).

Creating and managing groups (global, domain local, universal).

Adding users to groups.

• Lesson 4: Joining a Client Computer to the Domain (10-15 mins)

Creating a Windows Client VM (Windows 10/11).

Configuring the client VM with a static IP address and pointing its DNS to the Domain Controller.

Joining the client computer to the domain.

Kerberos Authentication

Logging in to the client computer with a domain user account.

Verifying domain membership.

Module 3: Group Policy: Centralized Management

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Group Policy (15-20 mins)

What is Group Policy? Benefits of centralized management.

Understanding Group Policy Objects (GPOs).

The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC).

Local Group Policy vs. Domain Group Policy.

Group Policy inheritance (OU structure and inheritance).

• Lesson 2: Creating and Linking GPOs (15-20 mins)

• Lesson 3: Group Policy Troubleshooting (10-15 mins)

Module 4: Advanced Concepts (Introductory Level)

• Lesson 1: Domain Trusts (10-15min)

What are Domain Trusts? Why are they needed?

Demonstration: Creating a simple trust between two domains.

• Lesson 2: Replication (10-15 mins)

Module 5: Active Directory Security and Best Practices

• Lesson 1: Active Directory Security Principles (15-20 mins)

  Understanding built-in Active Directory groups (Domain Admins, Enterprise Admins).

  
  

• Lesson 2: Securing Domain Controllers and DNS (15-20 mins)

        Physical security of Domain Controllers.

        Using a dedicated service account for applications.

        Separation of DNS duties

Module 6: Course Conclusion and Next Steps

• Lesson 1: Review and Summary (10-15 mins)

Recap of the key concepts covered in the course.

Highlighting the practical skills gained.

Addressing common challenges and troubleshooting tips.

• Lesson 2: Advanced Topics and Career Paths (10-15 mins)

Introducing more advanced Active Directory topics (ADFS, Azure AD Connect, PowerShell scripting).

Exploring career paths in system administration and cybersecurity.

Resources for continued learning (Microsoft documentation, online communities, certifications)

• Lesson 3: Final Thoughts and Thank You (5 mins)

Encouragement and motivation for continued learning.

Thank you to the students for taking the course.