Basic System Administration Bootcamp - Module 2

Lab: Installing and Configuring Windows Server and Linux VMs in EVE-NG

Objective

In this lab, you will learn how to:

• Install and deploy Windows Server and Linux VMs in EVE-NG.
• Configure core system settings: hostname, IP address, and time zone.
• Create and manage user accounts.

Prerequisites

• EVE-NG environment prepared (local or hosted by ColourFi).
• Windows Server ISO image and a Linux distribution ISO (e.g., Ubuntu).
• Basic understanding of virtualization concepts.

Step 1: Deploy VMs in EVE-NG

1. Log into your EVE-NG environment.
2. Create a new lab file (e.g., System_Config_Lab.unl).
3. Add two nodes:

• • Windows Server VM (using your Windows ISO/template).
  • Linux VM (e.g., Ubuntu or CentOS).

1. Connect both nodes to the same management network.
2. Start the nodes and proceed with the OS installation:

• • Windows Server: Follow the wizard to complete installation.
  • Linux: Select install option and complete basic setup.

Step 2: Configure System Settings

On Windows Server

1. Open Server Manager → Local Server.
2. Change Computer Name → Set hostname (e.g., WIN-SERVER01).
3. Configure Static IP from Control Panel:
   1. Network & Sharing → Adapter Settings → Set IPv4 manually.
   2. Example: 192.168.100.10 /24, Gateway 192.168.100.1.
4. Set Time Zone:
   1. Date & Time settings → Change time zone (e.g., UTC+8 Perth).

On Linux

1. Open terminal (or console).
2. Change hostname:

sudo hostnamectl set-hostname linux-server01

1. Configure IP address (example using netplan for Ubuntu):

sudo nano /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml

Example config:

network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    ens3:
      dhcp4: no
      addresses: [192.168.100.11/24]
      gateway4: 192.168.100.1
      nameservers:
        addresses: [8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1]

Apply changes:

sudo netplan apply

1. Set time zone:

sudo timedatectl set-timezone Australia/Perth

Step 3: User Account Management

On Windows Server

1. Open Computer Management → Local Users and Groups.
2. Add a new user (e.g., student1) with a secure password.
3. Assign the user to a group (e.g., Administrators or Users).

On Linux

1. Create a new user:

sudo adduser student1

1. Assign user to groups (e.g., sudo):

sudo usermod -aG sudo student1

Hands-On Exercise

• Deploy one Windows Server VM and one Linux VM in EVE-NG.
• Configure each with:
  • Unique hostname (WIN-SERVER01 / LINUX-SERVER01).
  • Static IP address (192.168.100.10 / 192.168.100.11).
  • Correct time zone (Australia/Perth).
• Create at least one additional user account on each system.

Deliverable: Both VMs should be deployed, networked, and accessible with configured hostnames, IPs, and user accounts.