Lab Systems Environment Setup

Automated installation and verification scripts for setting up a complete development and training lab environment on Windows.

Overview

This repository contains scripts to automate the installation and verification of essential development tools and software required for lab training environments.

Features

• Automated Installation - Fully automated software installation via Windows Package Manager (winget)
• Administrator Validation - Ensures proper privileges before installation
• Comprehensive Testing - Validates all installed components with detailed reporting
• Logging - Generates timestamped installation and test logs
• VS Code Extensions - Auto-installs essential VS Code extensions for development

Software Components

The scripts install and verify the following software:

Core Development Tools

• Python 3.12 - Programming language with pip package manager
• Node.js - JavaScript runtime with npm
• Git - Version control system
• GitHub CLI - GitHub command-line interface
• Visual Studio Code - Code editor with extensions

Container & Orchestration

• Docker Desktop - Container platform with Kubernetes support
• kubectl - Kubernetes command-line tool
• Multipass - Ubuntu VM manager

System Tools

• WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) - Linux environment on Windows
• Ubuntu - Default WSL distribution
• Google Chrome - Web browser
• UV - Fast Python package manager
• Winget - Windows Package Manager

VS Code Extensions

• Remote - Containers
• GitHub Copilot & Copilot Chat
• Jupyter (with Cell Tags, Keymap, Renderers, Slideshow)
• Markdown Preview Enhanced
• Python (Pylance, Python, Debugger)
• Rainbow CSV
• SQLite Viewer
• WSL
• YAML

Scripts

install-lab-software.cmd

Automated installation script that installs all required software components.

Requirements:

• Windows 10/11
• Administrator privileges
• Internet connection

Usage:

# Right-click and select "Run as administrator"
install-lab-software.cmd

Features:

• Checks for administrator privileges
• Auto-installs winget on Windows 10 if missing
• Silent installations with minimal user interaction
• Refreshes PATH environment variables
• Enables Kubernetes in Docker Desktop
• Installs all VS Code extensions
• Generates detailed installation log

installation-check.ps1

PowerShell script that tests all installed software and generates a comprehensive report.

Requirements:

• PowerShell 5.1 or later
• Installed software components (run install script first)

Usage:

# Standard test
.\installation-check.ps1

# Quick test (skips extended checks)
.\installation-check.ps1 -QuickTest

# Detailed test with JSON report
.\installation-check.ps1 -Detailed

Features:

• Tests all software installations
• Validates Docker daemon status
• Checks Kubernetes cluster connectivity
• Tests WSL distributions
• Updates PowerShell via winget
• Color-coded pass/fail/warning output
• System information reporting
• Actionable recommendations
• JSON export for detailed analysis

Installation Process

Step 1: Run Installation Script

# Run as Administrator
install-lab-software.cmd

This will:

1. Verify administrator privileges
2. Install/verify winget
3. Install all software components
4. Configure Docker Desktop for Kubernetes
5. Install WSL and Ubuntu
6. Install UV via pip
7. Install VS Code extensions
8. Generate installation log

Step 2: Restart Your Computer

After installation completes, restart your computer to ensure all PATH changes take effect.

Step 3: Complete WSL Setup (First Time Only)

# Launch WSL and create user account
wsl

Follow prompts to create Ubuntu username and password.

Step 4: Start Docker Desktop

1. Launch Docker Desktop
2. Verify Kubernetes is enabled (Settings > Kubernetes)
3. Wait for Docker and Kubernetes to start

Step 5: Verify Installation

# Run verification script
.\installation-check.ps1

Review the test results and follow any recommendations.

Post-Installation Configuration

Docker Desktop Kubernetes

If Kubernetes wasn't auto-enabled:

1. Open Docker Desktop
2. Navigate to Settings > Kubernetes
3. Check "Enable Kubernetes"
4. Click "Apply & Restart"

UV Package Manager

If UV installation fails:

pip install uv

GitHub CLI Authentication

gh auth login

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Winget not found:

• Ensure Windows is up to date
• Install from Microsoft Store: "App Installer"
• Restart terminal/system

Python/pip not in PATH:

• Restart computer after installation
• Manually add Python to PATH via System Environment Variables

Docker daemon not running:

• Launch Docker Desktop
• Wait for initialization to complete
• Check Docker Desktop settings

VS Code extensions not installing:

• Restart computer to refresh PATH
• Install manually: code --install-extension <extension-id>

WSL not working:

• Enable WSL feature: wsl --install
• Restart computer
• Update WSL: wsl --update

Log Files

Installation logs are saved with timestamp:

installation-log_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.txt

Test reports (with -Detailed flag):

LabTestReport_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.json

System Requirements

• OS: Windows 10 (version 2004 or higher) or Windows 11
• RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)
• Disk Space: 50 GB free space recommended
• Internet: Stable broadband connection
• Privileges: Administrator access required

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit issues or pull requests.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Author

iomegak12

Acknowledgments

• Microsoft for winget and VS Code
• Docker for Docker Desktop
• All open-source projects included in this setup