Introduction

Building a functional Active Directory (AD) environment requires clear design, reliable domain controller deployment, DNS/DHCP integration, Group Policy, and secure identity operations. This course guides you from lab setup to a production-ready AD, with practical steps and hybrid considerations for Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD).

Course overview

You’ll plan forest and domain structure, provision Windows Server domain controllers, configure core services (DNS, DHCP, time sync), and implement OU design with Group Policy. The course includes hands-on labs for server installation, AD DS role configuration, and hybrid sync scenarios, aligning with real-world deployments and training tracks focused on operational AD environments.

Key learning outcomes

• AD design: Forests, domains, sites, OU structure, and naming conventions.
• Core services: DNS zones/records, DHCP scopes, and time synchronization.
• Identity hygiene: Secure admin tiers, least privilege, and password policies.
• Group Policy: Baselines, hardening, drive mapping, software deployment.
• High availability: Multi-DC replication, monitoring, and backup/restore.
• Hybrid integration: Microsoft Entra Connect/Cloud Sync for identities.
• Troubleshooting: Event logs, dcdiag, repadmin, and DNS diagnostics.

Hands-on modules

• Module 1: Lab setup — Hyper‑V/VMware, virtual networking, Windows Server install.
• Module 2: Promote first DC — AD DS, DNS, domain creation, administrative baselines.
• Module 3: Sites & replication — add second DC, site links, subnet mapping, health checks.
• Module 4: OU & Group Policy — structure, GPOs, starter templates, WMI filters, hardening.
• Module 5: Identity lifecycle — users, groups, service accounts, delegation, auditing.
• Module 6: Hybrid identity — Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync basics and testing.
• Module 7: DR & operations — backups, authoritative/non‑authoritative restores, monitoring.
• Capstone: Build a functional multi‑site AD with baseline GPOs, health runbooks, and DR plan.

Starter lab topology

• Core: 2× Windows Server DCs (DNS, AD DS), 1× member server, 1× Windows client.
• Network: Private vSwitch, NAT to external, static IPs, NTP synchronization.
• Sites: 2 sites with site links and subnets to simulate branch office latency.

Explore these valuable resources

• Tutorial: Basic Active Directory environment (Microsoft Learn) — step-by-step lab setup and hybrid prerequisites.
• Udemy: Building A Functional Active Directory Environment — hands-on course focused on deployment and operations.
• Windows Server 2022 Active Directory Full Course (TeachMeCloud) — comprehensive practical AD coverage.

Explore related courses

• Windows Server Foundations
• Active Directory Advanced Operations
• Microsoft Entra Hybrid Identity
• Group Policy Security & Hardening
• Windows DR & Backup Strategies

Who should enroll?

Ideal for Windows Server admins, IT engineers, and system architects who need a repeatable approach to designing, deploying, and operating AD. Teams building hybrid identity or multi‑site AD will benefit from structured labs and operational runbooks.

Conclusion

A functional AD environment blends solid design, secure operations, and resilient replication. With a disciplined deployment, baseline GPOs, and hybrid identity readiness, you’ll deliver reliable authentication and authorization at scale while maintaining auditability and recovery confidence.