Hands-on Windows Server 2019 and Ubuntu Linux systems administration lab built in VMware Fusion. Configured a small Windows domain environment and practiced core infrastructure, networking, access management, Linux administration, and troubleshooting tasks.
The lab environment was built using VMware Fusion and includes a Windows Server 2019 domain controller, a Windows client, and an Ubuntu Linux system used for Linux administration practice.
VMware Fusion Lab
|
+------------+------------+
| |
Windows Server 2019 Ubuntu Linux
DC01 10.0.0.159
10.0.0.160 |
| SSH / Linux Admin
Active Directory Users & Groups
DNS / DHCP Permissions
Group Policy System Monitoring
File Sharing
|
Windows 11 Client
10.0.0.205
| Component | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Domain Controller | Windows Server 2019 — DC01 |
| Domain | corp.lab |
| Server IP | 10.0.0.160 |
| Windows Client | Windows 11 Home |
| Client IP | 10.0.0.205 |
| Linux Client | Ubuntu Linux |
| Linux IP | 10.0.0.159 |
| Virtualization | VMware Fusion |
Windows Server 2019 · Active Directory · DNS · DHCP · Group Policy · NTFS · File Sharing · Ubuntu Linux · SSH · Linux Permissions · VMware Fusion
- Configured Active Directory Domain Services with users, security groups, and Organizational Units (OUs).
- Configured DNS and DHCP for the lab network.
- Created and applied a Workstation Security Policy using Group Policy Objects (GPO).
- Configured Windows client networking and verified
corp.labconnectivity. - Created a departmental network share with HR, Finance, IT, and Sales folders.
- Configured share and NTFS permissions using Active Directory security groups.
- Troubleshot DNS, networking, and client/server connectivity issues.
ping corp.lab
# Reply from 10.0.0.160\\10.0.0.160\CompanyShares
Note: The Windows 11 Home client was not domain-joined because Windows 11 Home does not natively support Active Directory domain joining. Network connectivity, DNS resolution, and file-share access were successfully verified.
Added an Ubuntu Linux system to the lab environment to practice core Linux system administration, networking, remote access, user management, permissions, and system monitoring.
| Component | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Ubuntu Linux |
| IP Address | 10.0.0.159 |
| Network Subnet | 10.0.0.0/24 |
| Virtualization | VMware Fusion |
- Configured and verified Linux network settings using
ip addrandip route. - Installed and configured the OpenSSH server for secure remote administration.
- Created and managed Linux users using
adduser. - Created and managed system groups using
groupaddandusermod. - Configured file ownership using
chown. - Configured file and directory access permissions using
chmod. - Created an IT shared directory with group-based access permissions.
- Used Linux system administration commands to monitor hostname, disk usage, memory, and system resources.
Verified network configuration using:
ip addr
ip route- IP Address:
10.0.0.159 - Network:
10.0.0.0/24
Installed and verified the OpenSSH server:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install openssh-server -y
systemctl status sshThe SSH service was verified as active and running.
Created Linux users and an IT support group:
sudo adduser helpdesk
sudo adduser sysadmin
sudo groupadd it-supportAdded users to the IT support group:
sudo usermod -aG it-support helpdesk
sudo usermod -aG it-support sysadminVerified group membership:
getent group it-supportCreated an IT shared directory:
sudo mkdir /opt/it-shareConfigured ownership:
sudo chown root:it-support /opt/it-shareConfigured permissions:
sudo chmod 770 /opt/it-shareVerified the resulting permissions:
ls -ld /opt/it-shareDemonstrated Linux ownership, group-based access control, and directory security.
Used standard Linux administration commands to inspect system configuration and resources:
hostnamectl
df -h
free -hReviewed system identity, disk utilization, and memory usage.
- Windows Server Administration & Infrastructure
- Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
- DNS & DHCP Configuration
- Group Policy Objects (GPO)
- User & Group Management
- File Sharing & Network Shares
- NTFS Permissions & Share Security
- Linux System Administration
- Network Interface Configuration
- SSH Service Setup & Management
- User & Group Access Management
- File Ownership & Permission Controls (
chmod/chown) - Resource & System Monitoring
- Command-Line Interface (CLI) Mastery
- Network & Client/Server Troubleshooting
- VMware Virtualization (Fusion)
- Access Control & Least Privilege Model
- Systems Infrastructure Documentation
Configuration and testing screenshots are organized by operating system in the /screenshots directory.
- Active Directory OU & User structure
- DNS & DHCP Scope settings
- Group Policy Management console
- Share & NTFS Permission setup
- Network connectivity tests
- IP address & route verification
- SSH service status
- User and group creation commands
- File permission checks (
ls -ld) - Resource monitoring output (
df,free)
Built and troubleshot a virtualized multi-OS lab environment while gaining hands-on experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, Linux administration, SSH, file permissions, networking, and access control.
This project demonstrates practical capability in configuring enterprise operating systems, managing users and access control, resolving infrastructure issues, and creating clear technical documentation for IT operations.