This project was developed as part of the Operating Systems module at CCT College.
The objective of the assignment was to build and configure a virtual Windows Server network environment using Oracle VirtualBox and Windows Server 2022. The project required setting up a domain infrastructure, configuring users, departments, shared folders, permissions, web and network services, and applying administrative policies in a controlled virtual environment.
The implementation also included hosting a simple static website called DigiTech using IIS, as well as configuring DNS, DHCP, FTP, and Group Policy features inside the domain environment.
The main goal of this assignment was to simulate a small business Windows network and demonstrate practical administration skills.
The project included the following tasks:
- Create two virtual machines using Windows Server 2022
- Rename and configure the servers
- Assign static IP addresses
- Test network connectivity
- Promote one server to Domain Controller
- Join the second server to the domain
- Create Organizational Units, groups, and users
- Configure shared folders and access permissions
- Apply a password policy
- Install and configure IIS
- Host a static company website
- Configure DNS for website resolution
- Configure DHCP scope, exclusions, and reservation
- Explain patch management and WSUS
- Complete challenge tasks using Group Policy and FTP
Two virtual machines were created using Oracle VirtualBox and Windows Server 2022 ISO.
The servers were configured as:
- DC-2022161 → Domain Controller
- Web-2022161 → Web server joined to the domain
The report shows that both machines were renamed, assigned static IP addresses, and tested successfully using the PING command before continuing with the domain setup.
The first server was promoted to a Domain Controller, and the second server was successfully joined to the domain.
The project then created two departmental Organizational Units (OUs):
- Accounting-Dublin
- Sales-Dublin
Inside these OUs, the following were configured:
- Two Global Security Groups
- Accounting
- Sales
- Five users for Accounting
- Five users for Sales
These users were then added to their corresponding department groups.
This part of the project demonstrates the creation and management of a structured Active Directory environment for a small organization.
The project created departmental shared folders for resource access control:
- Accounting-Documents
- Sales-Documents
Both Share permissions and NTFS permissions were applied according to department requirements.
Access was tested using two different user accounts:
- Patrick from Accounting
- Claire from Sales
The report shows that:
- Patrick could access the Accounting folder and was denied access to the Sales folder
- Claire could access the Sales folder and was denied access to the Accounting folder
The permissions were also tested using UNC paths, confirming that access restrictions were working correctly.
This part of the assignment demonstrates practical implementation of role-based access control in a Windows domain environment.
A password policy was applied to the domain using Windows administrative tools.
This shows the use of domain-level security configuration to enforce authentication standards and improve account protection across the environment.
The second server was configured as a web server by installing IIS (Internet Information Services) using PowerShell.
A simple static company website called DigiTech was then deployed on the web server.
The uploaded website files show that the site was developed with:
- HTML
- CSS
- A custom brand image (DigiTech.jpg)
The website includes:
- A header with navigation links
- A branded hero image
- Products section
- About section
- Contact section
- Footer with webmaster and student details
The DNS console was then used to create a DNS entry for the DigiTech website, allowing name-based access inside the network environment.
The static website created for the IIS section uses a simple business-style layout and branding.
The index.html file includes:
- Semantic sections for navigation and content
- Internal menu links
- Contact details
- A message form
- A footer identifying the webmaster
The styles.css file provides:
- Purple-themed branding
- Responsive container layout
- Navigation styling
- Section spacing and shadows
- Form and footer styling
- Image display customization
This shows the integration of basic front-end development into a systems administration project.
The project also configured a DHCP Server for the domain.
The report documents the following DHCP tasks:
- DHCP role installation
- IP scope configuration
- Four DHCP exclusions
- Address reservation
- Connectivity validation after DHCP setup
A final ping test confirmed that both machines could still communicate successfully after the DHCP configuration.
The report includes a theory section explaining:
- The importance of patch management for servers
- The risks of leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched
- The role of update management in security and stability
- How WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) can be used in Windows networks
The paper also references the Equifax breach as an example of why patch management is critical in enterprise environments.
This section adds security awareness and theoretical context to the practical lab work.
The challenge section extended the project with additional administration tasks.
Two Group Policies were created and attached to both departmental OUs.
These policies were used to deploy software packages including:
- Notepad++
- Adobe Reader MSI
The report includes evidence showing that the software worked correctly in each department.
A custom desktop wallpaper was configured for each department using Group Policy.
This demonstrated centralized desktop customization for users in different OUs.
Access to the Control Panel was removed for both department groups through Group Policy.
The report includes proof that a Sales user could not access the Control Panel.
An FTP server was configured in the Accounting department.
The report shows that the FTP service was able to distribute the PDF version of the DigiTech Acceptable Use Policy.
The final challenge task was not completed successfully. The report honestly documents that an error occurred and was not resolved before submission.
Including this in the report is valuable because it reflects the real troubleshooting process and clearly distinguishes completed work from unfinished work.
This project combines systems administration, networking, Windows server management, and a simple front-end deployment.
- Windows Server 2022
- Oracle VirtualBox
- Active Directory
- DNS
- DHCP
- IIS
- FTP
- Group Policy
- NTFS Permissions
- Shared Folders
- PowerShell
- HTML5
- CSS3
This project demonstrates practical skills in:
- Virtual machine setup
- Windows domain administration
- Active Directory configuration
- User and group management
- File sharing and permissions
- DNS and DHCP configuration
- Web server deployment with IIS
- Group Policy administration
- FTP setup
- Security policy configuration
- Basic front-end website hosting
It also shows the ability to combine server administration with basic website deployment in a business-style infrastructure scenario.
Through this project, the following learning outcomes were demonstrated:
- Understanding how to build a Windows domain in a virtualized environment
- Configuring and managing core Windows Server roles
- Applying access controls using groups and NTFS permissions
- Hosting a website through IIS and linking it with DNS
- Using DHCP for centralized IP management
- Applying Group Policy for administration and restrictions
- Understanding the importance of patch management and WSUS
- Developing practical troubleshooting and documentation skills
This repository may include:
- The final assignment report
- The DigiTech static website files
- HTML and CSS source code
- Supporting project assets such as images
- Additional configuration evidence and screenshots
This project was developed by Thiago Goncalves da Costa as part of the Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technology at CCT College.
During my studies, I used the institutional GitHub account associated with my student email:
Since institutional accounts and student emails may be deactivated after graduation, this repository was migrated to my personal GitHub account:
https://github.com/ThiagoGoncos
This ensures long-term preservation of the project, commit history, and academic work completed during the degree program.