Homelab Guide Part 1: Windows Server 2019 VMware Installation Guide
This will be the first post in a series on how to setup a homelab for practicing and learning cybersecurity outside of a professional environment.
The first and most important step is installing and configuring the heart of your lab which will be the Windows Server that will act as a Domain Controller. This puppy will be your prime attack target because if you can gain access to a Domain Controller you have access to it all. The children of this server will be workstations and any additional systems you can think of to further the complexity of your homelab. Keep in mind that this guide will focus on using the free version of VMware Workstation.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2019?filetype=ISO
go to the above link and download Windows Server 2019. You will have to fill out a form before downloading. This is so that they can track your 180 day evaluation.
open VMWare and click "Create new Virtual Machine"
use option "Will install operating system later"
select Windows, version = Windows Server 2019
location
browse
go to Virtual Machines under Documents
Make New Folder "Windows Server 2019" and click ok
use the minimum disk size of 60gb
you can choose whether to split the disk into multiple files (I keep a single file)
finish
now move the downloaded WS2019 ISO into the newly created folder
open the Windows Server 2019 VM settings by right clicking it in on the main vmware page
click on CD/DVD (SATA)
use ISO image file
browse and click on the ISO
ok
now simply run the VM and go through regular Windows install