If you want to learn Windows infrastructure the “real” way, building an Active Directory (AD) lab is still one of the best returns on time you can get. A good lab gives you a safe place to practice identity, DNS, Group Policy, certificate services, patching, monitoring, and security baselines—without risking your daily devices.

This post is my general blueprint for standing up a clean AD lab that’s practical, secure-by-default, and easy to expand later.

What I’m Building (High Level)

Goal: A small, stable AD “core” that I can build services around.

Minimum viable lab:

  • 1x Domain Controller (AD DS + DNS)
  • 1x management workstation or admin VM (recommended)
  • 1–2 member servers (file server, monitoring, etc.)
  • 1–2 client machines (Windows 11 test endpoints)

Core principles:

  • Keep identity (AD) boring and stable.
  • Use DNS correctly (AD-integrated DNS is not optional).
  • Separate admin activity from daily computing.
  • Make it easy to rebuild (documentation + backups).

Step 0: Define the Lab Boundaries

Before touching installers, define the boundaries so you don’t rebuild later.

Network boundary

  • Put the lab on its own VLAN/subnet (ideal), or at minimum a dedicated IP range.
  • Keep “regular home devices” separate from server and test client networks.

Naming boundary

Pick a DNS name that won’t cause conflicts:

  • Use a domain you own (recommended) as a subdomain, for example: lab.example.net
  • Avoid .local unless you have a specific reason—modern integrations don’t always love it.

Time boundary

Time drift breaks AD in subtle and painful ways. Plan for reliable NTP and keep the lab consistent.

Step 1: Plan the Roles and Layout

Start small, and add roles intentionally.

Suggested starting roles

  • DC01: AD DS + DNS (keep it focused at first)
  • PAW01 (recommended): admin workstation VM
  • FS01 (optional): file server for permissions and SMB testing

IP and DNS plan (important)

  • Give the DC a static IP
  • Configure DC DNS to itself
  • Configure clients to use the DC for DNS (not your router, not public resolvers)

General VM sizing

  • DC: 2 vCPU, 4–8 GB RAM, 60–80 GB disk
  • Clients: 2 vCPU, 4–8 GB RAM

If you plan to add logging/monitoring and keep logs on-box, increase disk accordingly.

Step 2: Build the Domain Controller (DC01)

Install and baseline Windows Server

  • Install Windows Server (GUI is fine for a lab)
  • Apply updates immediately
  • Rename the server (example: DC01) and reboot
  • Assign a static IP, gateway, and DNS

Add AD DS + DNS and promote

  • Install the Active Directory Domain Services role
  • Include DNS Server
  • Promote to a domain controller:
    • Create a new forest

      • Choose your domain name (example: lab.example.net)

        • Set and store your DSRM password securely

        Validate the basics

        Confirm:

        • DNS zone exists and is AD-integrated
        • DC resolves itself and the domain
        • No persistent AD/DNS errors in Event Viewer

Step 3: Create a Simple OU Structure

A simple OU design beats a complicated one you won’t maintain. Here’s a practical starter:

 - `OU=Lab`
   - `OU=Servers`
     - `OU=Workstations`
       - `OU=Users`
         - `OU=Groups`
           - `OU=Service Accounts`
             - `OU=Admins`

             This gives you clean targets for Group Policy and delegated administration later.
              ---

Step 4: Set Up an Admin Model (Don’t Run Everything as Domain Admin)

 This is the habit that pays off the most.

    ### Accounts
     At minimum:
      - **Daily user** (normal privileges)
      - **Admin user** (separate account used only for admin tasks)

     ### Membership guidance
      - Keep **Domain Admin** membership minimal
      - Use delegated permissions where possible (a great lab exercise later)

     ### Admin workstation (MGMT01)
        Do administrative work from a dedicated VM instead of your daily PC. It’s a small change that teaches real-world operational discipline.

        ---

Step 5: Join a Client and Validate Authentication

Bring up a Windows 11 client:
  - Set DNS to the DC’s IP
  - Join the domain
      - Reboot
       - Log in with a domain user

 Quick validation:
    - Confirm you can access `\\DC01\SYSVOL`
     - Run:

        ```powershell
           whoami
           gpresult /r