Corentin 8e1b06e090 Initial lab release: Docker-based Active Directory lab

Complete Active Directory teaching environment based on dockurr/windows:
- Windows Server domain controller, Windows 11 client, Debian 12 client
- docker-compose orchestration, env-driven configuration
- Bilingual documentation (FR + EN) for students
- Dual approach (GUI + PowerShell) in every procedure
- Instructor course plan and reference scripts
- RDP launcher scripts for Linux, macOS and Windows

Made by AcadéNice - https://acadenice.fr/

2026-04-17 11:29:49 +02:00

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Lab startup

Goal: clone the project, adapt its configuration, then start the domain controller. Clients (PC01 and linux01) will be started later in the journey.

Get the project

git clone <repo-url> lab_AD_Complet
cd lab_AD_Complet

Adapt the configuration

.env.example lists every variable (names, passwords, VM resources). Copy it:

cp .env.example .env

At minimum, change:

AD_DOMAIN and AD_DOMAIN_NETBIOS if you want something else than corp.lab
AD_ADMIN_PASSWORD: must match the default AD policy (10+ chars, uppercase, lowercase, digit, special)

Other variables (RAM, CPU, ports) can stay as-is.

Check prerequisites

./scripts/check-prereqs.sh

Fix any [FAIL] before continuing.

Start the domain controller

docker-compose.yml defines three services:

dc01: Windows Server (domain controller)
pc01: Windows 11 (client)
linux01: Debian 12 (client)

For now, only dc01:

docker compose up -d dc01

The dockurr/windows image downloads (~1 GB), then fetches the Windows Server ISO and runs an unattended install. Depending on your connection, allow 20 to 45 minutes.

Track progress

Logs: docker compose logs -f dc01
Web console: http://localhost:8006

Accessing DC01

Once Windows is up:

Web: http://localhost:8006 (slow, unreliable clipboard)
RDP: ./scripts/rdp-dc.sh (recommended)

Default credentials for first login:

User: Administrator
Password: value of AD_ADMIN_PASSWORD in your .env

The server is installed but not yet a DC. Promotion happens in 02-dc-promotion.md.

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