Proxmox-Based Windows Active Directory Lab

This project uses Proxmox to host a complete Windows Server Active Directory environment. The goal was to simulate a small enterprise domain with centralized authentication, group policy management, and realistic server roles — all running on a single Proxmox host.

Lab Overview

I deployed multiple Windows Server VMs inside Proxmox to create a functional Active Directory domain. The environment includes domain controllers, a file server, a management workstation, and Windows client machines for testing authentication and GPO behavior.

Virtual Machine Layout

• DC01 – Primary Domain Controller: Hosts AD DS and DNS, manages users, groups, and OUs.
• DC02 – Secondary Domain Controller: Provides redundancy, DNS failover, and replication testing.
• FS01 – File Server: Centralized shares for departments and users; used for NTFS/share permission testing.
• MGMT01 – Management VM: Windows Server or Windows 10/11 with RSAT for centralized administration.
• Client VMs: Windows 10/11 machines joined to the domain for authentication and GPO testing.

Proxmox Configuration Highlights

• Virtual Networking: Dedicated Proxmox bridge for the lab network, optional VLAN segmentation.
• Templates & Snapshots: Base Windows template for rapid VM deployment and easy rollback.
• Resource Allocation: Tuned CPU/RAM per VM role for efficient homelab performance.

Skills Practiced

• Active Directory: Users, groups, OUs, domain joins, DNS management.
• Group Policy: Creating, linking, and testing GPOs for users and computers.
• File Server Security: NTFS/share permissions, group‑based access control.
• Redundancy & Replication: Multi‑DC setup, failover testing, replication validation.
• Homelab Workflow: Using Proxmox templates, snapshots, and isolated networks.