Windows Server 2019 Active Directory Administration Project

This project demonstrates the deployment and administration of a Windows Server 2019 Active Directory environment. The objective was to build a small enterprise domain, configure core infrastructure services, manage users and groups, deploy Group Policy, and troubleshoot real-world administrative issues in a virtual lab.

Project Overview

This project provided practical experience with Windows Server administration and enterprise identity management. It demonstrates my ability to deploy Active Directory, configure DNS, manage users and Organizational Units, implement Group Policy, and troubleshoot common Windows administration problems.

Why I Built This Lab

I wanted practical experience managing Windows enterprise infrastructure rather than simply learning individual features. Building this lab helped me understand how Active Directory, DNS, Group Policy and Windows clients work together inside a business environment while strengthening my troubleshooting skills.

Project Objectives

Deploy Windows Server 2019.
Install Active Directory Domain Services.
Configure DNS.
Create Organizational Units.
Create domain users and security groups.
Join Windows 11 Enterprise to the domain.
Deploy Group Policy Objects.
Troubleshoot policy deployment.
Validate user authentication and permissions.

Implementation Summary

A Windows Server 2019 Domain Controller was deployed with Active Directory and DNS services. Multiple Organizational Units were created to simulate an enterprise environment, followed by user accounts, security groups and Group Policy deployment. A Windows 11 Enterprise client was successfully joined to the domain and tested using domain credentials.

Troubleshooting Experience

During testing, a Group Policy wallpaper deployment failed to apply correctly. Rather than rebuilding the lab, I investigated the issue by validating DNS, refreshing Group Policy, checking network connectivity, verifying the wallpaper path and correcting the configuration. This reinforced the importance of structured troubleshooting within enterprise environments.

Key Lessons Learned

Active Directory depends on correct DNS configuration.
Group Policy deployment requires systematic troubleshooting.
Organizational Units simplify administration.
Security Groups improve permission management.
Always validate configuration changes after deployment.

Project Screenshots

The screenshots below demonstrate the major stages of the Windows Server deployment and Active Directory administration process.

Domain Controller Ready — Figure 1 — Windows Server 2019 promoted to an Active Directory Domain Controller.

Figure 2 — Active Directory Users and Computers console.

Organizational Units — Figure 3 — Enterprise Organizational Unit structure.

First Domain User — Figure 4 — Creating the first domain user account.

Security Group — Figure 5 — Creating a security group for administrative permissions.

Group Membership — Figure 6 — Assigning a user to the IT security group.

Figure 7 — Group Policy Object created and linked to the IT Organizational Unit.

Command Prompt Restriction — Figure 8 — Command Prompt disabled through Group Policy.

Figure 9 — DNS Manager showing the configured domain services.

Windows 11 Domain Login — Figure 10 — Windows 11 Enterprise successfully authenticated using a domain user account.

Conclusion

This project provided practical experience administering Windows Server 2019 in an enterprise-style environment. It strengthened my knowledge of Active Directory, DNS, Group Policy, user administration and structured troubleshooting while building confidence with real-world system administration tasks.

← Back to Portfolio