Part 1: Hyper-V, Networks, DC, DNS

This post will really only be applicable where you are running this up at home or a lab. Please don’t use this as guidance on building a production domain…

Some details on my hypervisor spec –

CPU – Intel Xeon E5-1650 @ 3.5GHz
RAM – 64GB
C:\ – 256GB SSD
V:\ – 1TB SSD

Hypervisor

1. Install Windows Server 2016 Datacenter, media can be downloaded here.
2. Set a static IP address, mines 192.168.0.100 as it’s sitting on my home network.
3. Give your server a name, mines HV01 as in hypervisor 1.
4. Install Hyper-v, open PowerShell and run the below:

   Install-WindowsFeature –Name Hyper-V -IncludeManagementTools -Restart

   

5. Open Hyper-V Manager
   
6. Open Hyper-V Settings
   
7. Change Virtual Hard Disks to ‘V:\Hyper-V\Virtual Hard Disks’
   
8. Change Virtual Machines to ‘V:\Hyper-V\Virtual Machines’
   
9. Open Virtual Switch Manager
   
10. Select New virtual network switch, external and click Create Virtual Switch
    
11. Give it a name and select external network.
    
12. Install data deduplication, open PowerShell and run the below:

    Import-Module ServerManager
    Add-WindowsFeature -name FS-Data-Deduplication

    

13. In Server Manager browse to File and Storage Services>Volumes
    
14. Right click on the volume you’re storing your VM’s on, ‘V:’ in my case and select ‘Configure data deduplication’.
    
15. Change Data Deduplication to Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and then click Set Deduplication Schedule.
    
16. Configure an appropriate schedule, mines pretty aggressive because it’s a lab and I’m not fussed when it runs.
    
18. Install all Windows Updates

Domain Controller 1

1. Create a new Virtual Machine with the below
   Name: DC01
   Generation: 2
   Startup Memory: 1024
   Use Dynamic memory for this VM: Yes
   Connection: vNet External
2. Install Windows Server 2016 Standard
3. Set a static IP address, mines 192.168.0.101
4. Give your server a name, mines DC01 as in Domain Controller 1
5. Install Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, open PowerShell and run the below:

   Install-windowsfeature AD-Domain-Services
   Install-Windowsfeature DNS

   

6. In Server Manager click on the flag and run Promote this server to a domain controller.
   
7. Select Add a new forest and enter a domain name and click Next.
   
8. Enter a password and click Next.
   
9. Click Next.
   
10. Set an NetBIOS name and click next.
    
11. Configure locations, I’m using the defaults.
    
12. Review options and click Next.
    
13. Review pre-requisite check and click install.
    
14. Server will be restarted
15. Launch DNS from Server Manager
    
16. Select DC01>Forwarders>Edit
    
17. Enter Google or another external DNS server, I’m using 8.8.8.8 then hit enter.
    
18. Confirm you can resolve your new domain with nslookup.
    

Domain Controller 2

1. Create a new Virtual Machine with the below
   Name: DC02
   Generation: 2
   Startup Memory: 1024
   Use Dynamic memory for this VM: Yes
   Connection: vNet External
2. Install Windows Server 2016 Standard
3. Set a static IP address, mines 192.168.0.102
4. Give your server a name, mines DC02 as in Domain Controller 2
5. Join the server to your newly created domain
6. Install Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, open PowerShell and run the below:

   Install-windowsfeature AD-Domain-Services
   Install-Windowsfeature DNS

   

7. In Server Manager click on the flag and run Promote this server to a domain controller.
   
8. Select Add a domain controller to an existing domain, enter your domain name and click Next.
   
9. Enter a password and click next.
   
10. Click Next
    
11. Click Next
    
12. Set paths and click Next
    
13. Review config and click next.
    
14. Confirm pre-reqs are met and click install.
    
15. Confirm you can resolve your new domain with nslookup.
    

References:
Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V Best Practices (In Easy Checklist Form)