Understanding Windows Server: A Simple Approach

How to assign IP address ?

1. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.

2. Click on Change adapter settings.

3. Right-click your network connection and select Properties.

4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

5. Give IP address and enter

   • IP Address: Example - 192.168.1.100

   • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

   • Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1

6. Click OK to save the settings.

Verifying Your IP Address ✅

After assigning an IP, check if it’s set correctly:

On Windows: Open Command Prompt and type:

# Batch script for Windows
ipconfig

🌐 How to Set Up a Domain in a Windows Machine 🖥️

Setting up a domain in Windows allows you to manage network resources efficiently, improve security, and centralize administration.

🛠️ Requirements :

• A Windows Server machine (Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022 recommended) 🏢

• A static IP address configured 📡

• Administrative privileges 👨‍💻

• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) installed ⚙️

I am practicing with Windows server 2012.

How to Install Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) ?

1. Open Server Manager.

2. Click Add Roles and Features.

3. Before You Begin click Next.

4. Installation type select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next.

5. Server selection click select a server from the server pool and click Next.

6. Server Roles select Active Directory Domain Services click Add Feature click Next.

7. Features click Next.

8. AD DS click Next.

9. Conformation Select Restart the destination server automatically if required click Yes click Install.

After installation

Promote Server to a Domain Controller

1. After installation, click Notification click Promote this server to a domain controller.

2. Deployment Configuration select Add a new forest and enter your domain name. (e.g. insys.com)

3. Domain Controller Option Set up a DSRM password click Next.

4. DNS options click next.

5. Additional Options click Next.

6. Paths (default) click Next.

7. Review Options click Next.

8. Prerequisites Check click Install.

9. Wait for the server to configure.

10. Restart the server when prompted.

🔗 How to Attach a Client Machine to a Domain 💻🌐

On client machine

I am using Windows 10 pro server as the client machine for practice.

1. Click File Explorer.

2. On This Pc Right click Properties.

3. Click on Properties.

4. Click Change Settings.

5. Click Change.

6. Click on Computer Name tab.

7. Click Change... button.

8. Under Member of, select Domain

9. Enter your domain name (e.g., insys.com).

Provide Domain Credentials 🔑

A prompt will appear asking for domain credentials

1. Enter Domain Admin username & password.

2. Click OK.

3. Restart Your Computer.

4. On the login screen, click Other User

5. Type User Name

6. Enter your password and log in.

Conclusion :

Setting up a domain and connecting a client machine to it is a game-changer for IT management. With a domain, you get a single place to control user access, security settings, and network resources—all in one place. once your domain is up and running, you can start adding client machines, managing users, and applying security policies with ease. If you run into any issues, double-check your DNS settings, firewall rules, and network configuration.