Active Directory (On-Prem) Lab

Enterprise AD Management | Security Hardening | PowerShell Automation

⬅ Back to Enterprise IAM Lab Overview

📖 Overview

This lab provides hands-on experience with managing and securing traditional on-premises Active Directory environments. It focuses on critical areas such as organizational design, DNS configuration, security hardening, user & group lifecycle management, delegated administration, automation with PowerShell, and backup & recovery procedures. These walkthroughs simulate real-world enterprise IAM and Windows infrastructure tasks.

📚 What This Covers

🏗️ Organizational Design

Design forests, domains, and OUs to reflect enterprise structures and security boundaries.

🌐 DNS Configuration

Configure DNS for proper domain joins, service resolution, and redundancy.

🛡️ Security Hardening

Harden domain controllers, enforce audit policies, and protect privileged accounts.

👥 User & Group Management

Manage lifecycle, group scope/types, and ensure secure access control assignments.

🧑‍💼 Delegated Administration

Delegate responsibilities with least privilege to support staff and business units.

💻 Automation with PowerShell

Automate user, group, and policy tasks using the Active Directory PowerShell module.

♻️ Backup & Recovery

Protect AD through regular backups, recovery testing, and recycle bin configuration.

📂 Lab Sections

AD Forest & Domain Architecture

Overview of AD forests, domains, trusts, and key design considerations.

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DNS Configuration

Configure client systems to use domain DNS for proper join and resolution.

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OU & GPO Management

Create and organize OUs and apply GPOs for centralized policy control.

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User & Group Management

Lifecycle tasks, group scope/type, and membership management.

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Delegation & Access Control

Delegate admin roles and securely manage permissions across OUs.

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AD Security Hardening

Secure DCs, harden audit policy, and manage privileged accounts.

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Authentication Protocols

Overview and configuration of AD authentication methods and protocols.

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PowerShell for AD Management

Automate routine tasks with common AD cmdlets and scripts.

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AD Backup & Recovery

Protect and restore AD using backup, tombstone, and recycle bin.

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🛠️ Tools Used

Virtualization: VirtualBox (for running lab VMs)
AD Management: Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)
Group Policy: Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
Scripting: PowerShell with AD module
Server OS: Windows Server 2016 / 2019 / 2022

🌐 Related Labs

AD-Entra-Hybrid-Lab – Sync and federate on-prem AD with Microsoft Entra ID.
Microsoft Entra ID Lab – Cloud-based identity and access management (MFA, SAML, OIDC, automation).