# 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:

```plaintext
# 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.