Windows Server Administration Project: Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Overview:
This guide walks you through setting up a Windows Server environment with
the following services:
Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
File Server
Remote Desktop Services (RDS)
SQL Server (Database Server)
Application Server
You’ll also prepare documentation and a network diagram for submission.
1. Preparing Your Environment
Requirements:
At least 5 Windows Server installations (VMs or physical machines)
1 Windows client machine (optional, for testing)
Virtualization tool: VirtualBox / VMware / Hyper-V
ISO files for Windows Server (2016/2019/2022) and SQL Server
Suggested Naming:
Domain Controller: DC01
File Server: FS01
Remote Desktop Server: RDS01
SQL Server: SQL01
Application Server: APP01
2. Setting up Active Directory Domain Services (AD
DS)
On DC01:
1. Install Windows Server
2. Go to Server Manager > Add Roles and Features
3. Select Active Directory Domain Services and complete the wizard.
4. Promote this server to a Domain Controller:
o Choose “Add a new forest”
o Domain name: [Link]
5. After restart:
o Open Active Directory Users and Computers
o Create OUs: HR, IT, Students
o Create Groups: HR_GRP, IT_GRP, etc.
o Create User Accounts and assign them to groups.
6. Configure Group Policies:
o Open Group Policy Management
o Create new GPOs (e.g., password policy, desktop restrictions)
3. Setting up the File Server
On FS01:
1. Install File and Storage Services via Server Manager.
2. Create shared folders (e.g., HRDocs, ITFiles).
3. Set NTFS permissions:
o HR_GRP → Full Control of HRDocs
o IT_GRP → No access to HRDocs
4. Set Share Permissions:
o Use Advanced Sharing and assign user/group permissions.
5. Test access from a client logged into the domain.
4. Setting up Remote Desktop Services (RDS)
On RDS01:
1. Open Server Manager > Add Roles and Features
2. Select Remote Desktop Services Installation
3. Choose Session-based Desktop Deployment
4. Install:
o RD Session Host
o RD Licensing
o RD Connection Broker
5. Configure RemoteApp:
o Publish apps like Notepad, Word, or your own app.
6. Configure RD Gateway:
o Secure RDS access from outside the network
5. Setting up SQL Server (Database Server)
On SQL01:
Recommended Edition: SQL Server 2019 Express (Free)
Step-by-Step Installation:
1. Download SQL Server 2019 Express:
o [Link]
2. Run the Installer:
o Choose “Basic Installation”
o Accept license terms
o Let the installer download and install the engine
3. Configure Server:
o Choose Mixed Mode Authentication (set a strong SA
password)
o Add current user as SQL Server admin
4. Install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):
o Download from [Link]
o Use SSMS to create and manage databases
5. Create a Database:
o Open SSMS and connect to the server
o Right-click “Databases” > “New Database” > Name it AppDB
6. Create a SQL Login:
o Go to “Security” > “Logins” > New Login
o Set username and password, give access to AppDB
7. Configure Remote Access:
o Open SQL Server Configuration Manager
o Enable TCP/IP under Network Configuration
o Restart SQL Service
8. Firewall Settings:
o Open port 1433 in Windows Firewall for inbound rules
9. Test Connection:
o From APP01, use connection string to test DB connectivity
6. Setting up the Application Server
On APP01:
1. If it’s a web app:
o Install IIS (Internet Information Services)
o Deploy the website files to C:\inetpub\wwwroot
2. If it’s a desktop app:
o Install needed runtimes (e.g., .NET)
o Deploy the app to a shared folder
3. Configure the app to connect to the database on SQL01
4. Test access by logging in as a domain user.
7. Optional: LDAP Integration
Use LDAP queries to authenticate or pull user details from AD.
Example: Your application can use LDAP to auto-load user profile info
from AD.
8. Documentation Requirements
Create a Word or PDF document with:
Server names, IP addresses, roles
Screenshots of each major step:
o AD Setup, User Creation, Folder Sharing, SQL setup, etc.
Group Policies applied
Test results (e.g., file access success, login to app)
9. Network Diagram
Use [Link], Visio, or any other tool to draw a diagram:
[ Client PC 1 ] [ Client PC 2 ]
| |
| |
-------------------------------
| Switch |
-------------------------------
| | | | |
[DC] [File] [RDS] [SQL] [App]
Label:
IPs (e.g., [Link])
Server names (e.g., DC01)
Services on each
10. Final Tips
Test each service before documenting.
Use snapshots or backups to avoid repeating installs.
Ask your instructor if you’re allowed to work in groups.
Let me know if you’d like help with the documentation template or a ready-
made diagram!