What problem does it solve? Learners in the Server & Cloud Administration track often struggle to go from zero infrastructure to a working Active Directory lab. This Skill provides a structured, phase-by-phase project that walks them through creating a Windows Server 2022 VM, installing the AD DS role, and promoting it to the first domain controller of a new forest. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Dual deployment paths: Supports both local Hyper-V (Pro/Enterprise Windows) and Azure VM deployment, letting the mentor pick based on the learner's hardware and budget. - Five guided phases: Covers Hyper-V/Azure VM creation, initial OS configuration (static IP, rename, updates), AD DS role installation, forest promotion with Install-ADDSForest, and baseline OU structure creation. - Concept teaching built in: Each phase names key concepts out loud (forest, domain, OU, DC, DNS SRV records, DSRM password) and includes after-action prompts plus common gotchas. - Use Case: A veteran learner with a Windows 11 Pro laptop follows the Hyper-V path to build DC01 in the mssa.lab domain, ending with a working DNS-resolvable domain controller ready for the Group Policy project. ## Quick Start Ask the mentor to start the sca-server-vm-setup project and walk you through building your first Windows Server domain controller step by step.
