In this series we will set up a homelab (it doesn’t need to be in your home) so that you can get experience with Windows management. We will also add some sections on how to configure Recast products in your homelab environment so you can test new versions or simply get to know how the products work.
Assumptions
We are going to make some assumptions in this guide. For example, you should already know how to create VM’s in whatever hypervisor you prefer, and you already know how to install Windows Server and Workstation OS versions.
Setup/Design
We are setting up this lab on a separate IP Subnet, separated from other devices on the network.
Domain Name: Homelab.local
Required Virtual Machines:
- Gateway Server (optional to connect your subset of devices to the internet)
- gateway.homelab.local
- LAN 1 (DHCP to external network)
- LAN 2 192.168.2.2 (Static IP Internal lab network)
- Windows roles
- C Drive = 100 GB
- Memory 2 GB
- CPU = 2 cores
Domain Controller
- dc.homelab.local
- LAN 1 192.168.2.1 (Static IP internal lab network)
- Windows Roles (Domain Controller, DHCP, DNS
- C Drive = 100 GB
- Memory= 2 GB
- CPU = 2 cores
ConfigMgr Server
- cm.homelab.local
- LAN 1 192.168.2.3 (Static IP internal Lab Network)
- C Drive = 100 GB
- E Drive = 50 GB
- F Drive = 250 GB
- Memory= 12 GB
- CPU = 4 cores
Recast Management Server (optional)
- rms.homelab.local
- LAN 1 192.168.2.4 (Static IP internal Lab Network)
- C Drive = 100 GB
- D Drive = 100 GB
- Memory= 8 GB
- CPU = 4 cores
Windows Test Workstation
- wks.homelab.local
- LAN 1 192.168.2.5 (Static IP internal lab network)
- C: Drive = 100GB
- Memory = 4GB
- CPU = 4 Cores
Active Directory Accounts Needed
- ConfigMgr Admin (CMAdmin)
- Network Access (CM_NA)
- Domain Join (CM_DJ)
- Workstation client push account (CM_CP_Workstations)
- Server Client Push Account (CM_CP_Servers)
- Co-Workers (you choose names)
- Service Account for Recast Proxy (Homelab_SRV)
AD Groups needed
- CM_Servers
- CM_Admins
- SQL_Admins
- Server_LocalAdmins
- Workstation_LocalAdmins
- CM_App_DeployUsers
- Certificate Admins (Allows users to enroll certs)
- Web Server Cert Enrollment (contains any webservers)
Next steps
In our next post, we will get started digging into building our environment.
Make your homelab more powerful. Download our free tools to help you automate, troubleshoot, and validate configurations in your test environment.
The Homelab Series
Step 1: Creating a Domain Controller with DNS
Step 2: Adding a Certificate Authority
Step 3: Setting up a Gateway VM to Be Used as a Virtual Router (Optional)
Step 4: Configuration Manager Server Prerequisites
Step 5: Settings for Active Directory and Group Policy
Step 6: Installing SQL For ConfigMgr
Step 8: ConfigMgr Basic Settings
Step 9: Configuration Manager Collections and Application Deployments
Step 10: Installing SQL Server Reporting Services
Step 11: Cloud Management Gateway (CMG) Overview
Step 12: Installing the Recast Management Server and Right Click Tools (Optional Step)
Step 13: Recast Management Server (RMS) Configuration (Optional Step)
Step 13.5: Installing and Using the Right Click Tools Browser Extension
Step 14: Installing Right Click Tools Insights – ConfigMgr Reporting
