How to make an Active Directory lab with VMWare Player.

[HungryDad]

Hi,

I have downloaded VMware Player in order to build myself a small Active Directory lab.

I also downloaded Windows 2012 R2 Evaluation and created 2 servers.

I installed the Active Directory role on one server and can add or remove items in the Active Directory. I can log in using the AD Administrator account or the local Administrator account as well and also with a new user account i created in the Active Directory. So i guess it works fine.

When i try to join the other server however i allways get a message that the domain does not exist or could not be contacted.

Both servers have been created with a bridge network and the DSN and DHCP come from my router.

What's the best network settings to use? Bridge, NAT, Host-only, Custom, Lan segment?

Is there any documentation regarding making an Active Directory Lab?

What is the best practive for this case?

Thanks,

[GaneshNetworks]

Take a look at:

http://www.invurted.com/tutorial-windows-2008-testing-environment-using-vmware-player/

http://www.invurted.com/tutorial-windows-2008-testing-environment-using-vmware-player-part-2/

http://www.invurted.com/tutorial-windows-2008-vmware-player-3/

[HungryDad]

I have checked the tutorials and found them very useful. However i'm using Windows Server 2012 R2 so there is a little tweaking to do. I got my lab to work fine with Windows 2K12R2.

I'm wondering how to update the virtual machine since in host only mode i have no access to internet. It's not very important right now, i've switch all of my virtual computers to bridge mode and updated them before adding the Active Directory role.

Thanks.

[GaneshNetworks]

Try to assign 2 network adapters to all your VMs. One adapter for internal communication (Host Only), An another for internet purpose (Bridge Mode). Disconnect the bridged mode adapters, whenever not required.