# 🖥️ Introduction to Windows Server Basics

**Windows Server** is Microsoft’s enterprise-grade operating system used to manage networks, data, security, and infrastructure across businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re setting up a domain, hosting files, or configuring a DNS server, Windows Server gives you the tools to do it.

## 🧱 What Is Windows Server?

Windows Server is a server operating system developed by Microsoft. Unlike regular Windows (like Windows 10/11), it’s designed to provide services to other computers (clients) over a network.

Popular versions include:

– Windows Server 2012 R2

– Windows Server 2016

– Windows Server 2019

– Windows Server 2022 (latest as of 2025)

## 🧑‍💼 Key Roles and Features

Roles and features are modular components that add specific functions to your server.

### Most Common Roles:

– **Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS):** Centralized user/group/computer management.

– **DNS Server:** Resolves domain names to IP addresses.

– **DHCP Server:** Automatically assigns IP addresses to devices.

– **File and Storage Services:** Centralized file sharing.

– **Web Server (IIS):** Hosts websites and apps.

You can install and manage roles via **Server Manager** or **PowerShell**.

## 🧩 Active Directory and Domains

Active Directory is the backbone of many Windows-based networks.

– A **domain** is a centralized directory structure.

– **Domain Controllers (DCs)** authenticate users and apply policies.

– **Organizational Units (OUs)** allow admins to group and manage users/devices.

Users log in using domain credentials (e.g., `[email protected]`) instead of local accounts.

## 🛠 Useful Management Tools

– **Server Manager:** GUI to manage roles and settings.

– **PowerShell:** Powerful CLI for scripting and automation.

– **Group Policy Editor (GPO):** Apply policies across users and computers.

– **Event Viewer:** Logs system and security events.

– **Remote Desktop:** Administer headless servers remotely.

## 🌐 Networking Setup

Windows Server often acts as the core of a network:

– Assign a **static IP** to your server.

– Set up **DNS** to allow device name resolution.

– Create a **domain** and join client machines to it.

– Configure **firewall rules** to allow traffic for necessary roles.

## 🔐 Security Tips

– Always rename or disable the default `Administrator` account.

– Enable **Windows Firewall** with rules per role.

– Regularly apply Windows Updates and security patches.

– Use **role-based access control (RBAC)** for admin delegation.

## 🧠 Why Learn Windows Server?

If you’re pursuing a career in system administration, cybersecurity, or enterprise IT, knowing Windows Server is essential. Many organizations run hybrid environments using both on-prem servers and cloud services (e.g., Azure AD Connect).

## 📚 What’s Next?

We’ll cover:

– Setting up your first domain controller in a lab

– Using Group Policy to lock down systems

– Automating tasks using PowerShell