Windows Server 2019: Domain, Antivirus, And Permissions

by Square 56 views
Iklan Headers

Hey guys! Today, we're diving into setting up a domain on Windows Server 2019, focusing on some crucial aspects like antivirus integration, command prompt (CMD) restrictions, and managing user group permissions. Trust me, getting these right from the start can save you a ton of headaches down the road. Let's break it down step by step.

Setting Up Your Windows Server 2019 Domain

First things first, let's get that domain up and running. This is the foundation upon which everything else will be built, so pay close attention. We'll walk through the essential steps to configure your server as a domain controller, which is the heart of your network's identity and security.

Installing Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)

The bedrock of any Windows Server domain is Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Think of it as the master control panel for your network's users, computers, and resources. To kick things off, you'll need to install AD DS on your Windows Server 2019 machine. Here’s how:

  1. Open Server Manager: This is your go-to console for managing server roles and features. You can usually find it pinned to your taskbar, or just search for it in the Start Menu.
  2. Add Roles and Features: In Server Manager, click on "Add roles and features". This will launch the Add Roles and Features Wizard, which will guide you through the installation process.
  3. Select Installation Type: Choose "Role-based or feature-based installation". This option allows you to select specific roles and features to install on the server.
  4. Select Destination Server: Choose the server you want to install AD DS on. In most cases, this will be the local server.
  5. Select Server Roles: Here’s the important part: select "Active Directory Domain Services". When you check the box, a pop-up will appear asking if you want to add required features. Go ahead and click "Add Features". These are the necessary components that AD DS relies on to function properly.
  6. Select Features: You can skip this section unless you have specific features you want to add. AD DS will automatically install its required features.
  7. Confirmation: Review your selections and click "Install". The wizard will then install AD DS on your server. This process may take a few minutes, so grab a coffee and be patient.

Promoting the Server to a Domain Controller

Once AD DS is installed, it's time to promote your server to a domain controller. This essentially turns your server into the authority that manages your domain. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Post-Deployment Configuration: After the AD DS installation completes, you’ll see a notification in Server Manager prompting you to configure Active Directory Domain Services. Click on "Promote this server to a domain controller".
  2. Deployment Configuration: The Active Directory Domain Services Configuration Wizard will appear. Here, you have a few options:
    • Add a domain controller to an existing domain: Choose this if you already have a domain and you’re adding another domain controller for redundancy or load balancing.
    • Add a new domain to an existing forest: Choose this if you have an existing Active Directory forest and you want to create a new domain within it.
    • Add a new forest: This is what you’ll choose if you’re creating a brand new domain and forest. This is the most common option for setting up a new network.
  3. Specify Domain Name: Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) for your new domain (e.g., example.com). Choose a name that’s easy to remember and reflects your organization.
  4. Domain Controller Options: Set the forest and domain functional levels. In most cases, you’ll want to choose the highest level available (Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019) to take advantage of the latest features. Also, specify a password for the Directory Services Restore Mode (DSRM). This password is crucial for recovering your domain in case of a disaster, so make sure to store it in a safe place.
  5. DNS Options: You may receive a warning about DNS delegation. This is normal if you don’t have DNS configured yet. You can ignore this warning for now, as the wizard will configure DNS for you.
  6. Additional Options: Verify the NetBIOS name assigned to the domain. This is the short name used for older systems. You can usually leave this as the default.
  7. Paths: Specify the locations for the AD DS database, log files, and SYSVOL folder. The default locations are usually fine, but you can change them if you have specific storage requirements.
  8. Review Options: Review your selections and click "Next".
  9. Prerequisites Check: The wizard will perform a prerequisites check to make sure everything is ready for the domain controller promotion. If any errors are found, you’ll need to resolve them before proceeding.
  10. Install: If the prerequisites check passes, click "Install". The server will then be promoted to a domain controller. This process will take some time, and the server will automatically restart.

Once the server restarts, you’ll be able to log in using your domain credentials. Congratulations, you’ve successfully set up your Windows Server 2019 domain!

Antivirus Considerations on Windows Server 2019

Alright, now that your domain is up and running, let's talk about antivirus. Protecting your server is paramount, and Windows Server 2019 comes with Windows Defender Antivirus built-in. However, you might want to consider a more robust solution, especially in a business environment.

Choosing the Right Antivirus Solution

While Windows Defender Antivirus provides basic protection, it might not be sufficient for all environments. When selecting an antivirus solution for your Windows Server 2019 domain, consider the following factors:

  • Real-time scanning: Ensures that files are scanned as they are accessed, preventing malware from executing.
  • Scheduled scans: Allows you to schedule regular scans of your entire system to detect and remove any threats that may have slipped through the real-time scanner.
  • Automatic updates: Keeps your antivirus software up-to-date with the latest threat definitions, ensuring that it can detect and remove the newest malware.
  • Centralized management: If you have multiple servers, choose an antivirus solution that allows you to manage them all from a central console. This makes it easier to monitor the security of your entire network.
  • Performance impact: Some antivirus solutions can have a significant impact on server performance. Choose one that is lightweight and doesn’t consume too many resources.

Popular choices include solutions from Symantec, McAfee, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky. Each has its pros and cons, so do your research to find the one that best fits your needs.

Configuring Windows Defender Antivirus

If you decide to stick with Windows Defender Antivirus, make sure to configure it properly. Here are some key settings to consider:

  1. Enable Real-time Protection: This is the most important setting. Make sure real-time protection is enabled to continuously monitor your system for threats.
  2. Enable Cloud-delivered Protection: This allows Windows Defender Antivirus to use Microsoft’s cloud-based threat intelligence to detect and block the latest malware.
  3. Configure Scheduled Scans: Set up regular scheduled scans to scan your entire system for threats. Choose a time when the server is not heavily used to minimize performance impact.
  4. Exclude Server Roles and Files: Exclude server roles and files from scanning to prevent performance issues and false positives. For example, you may want to exclude the AD DS database and log files.

Using PowerShell to Manage Antivirus

PowerShell is your friend when it comes to managing antivirus on Windows Server 2019. You can use it to configure settings, run scans, and manage exclusions. Here are some useful commands:

  • Get-MpComputerStatus: Gets the current status of Windows Defender Antivirus.
  • Start-MpScan: Starts a scan of your system.
  • Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "C:\path\to\exclude": Adds an exclusion to prevent Windows Defender Antivirus from scanning a specific file or folder.
  • Set-MpPreference -RealTimeProtectionEnabled $true: Enables real-time protection.

Restricting Command Prompt (CMD) Access

Next up, let's lock down the command prompt (CMD). This is a crucial security measure to prevent unauthorized users from running potentially harmful commands on your server.

Using Group Policy to Restrict CMD

The best way to restrict CMD access is through Group Policy. This allows you to centrally manage settings for all users and computers in your domain. Here’s how:

  1. Open Group Policy Management: You can find this in Server Manager under "Tools".
  2. Create or Edit a GPO: Create a new Group Policy Object (GPO) or edit an existing one. You can link the GPO to the entire domain or to specific organizational units (OUs) containing the users you want to restrict.
  3. Navigate to User Configuration: In the Group Policy Management Editor, navigate to "User Configuration" > "Policies" > "Administrative Templates" > "System".
  4. Access to the command prompt: Find the setting "Prevent access to the command prompt". Double-click on it to configure it.
  5. Enable the Setting: Set the policy to "Enabled". You can also choose to disable the command prompt script processing by selecting "Yes" in the options.
  6. Apply the GPO: Link the GPO to the appropriate OU or domain and wait for the policy to be applied to the users. You can also force an update by running gpupdate /force on the client machines.

Testing the Restriction

To verify that the restriction is working, log in as a user that the GPO applies to and try to open the command prompt. You should receive a message saying that the command prompt has been disabled by your administrator.

Managing User Group Permissions

Finally, let's talk about user group permissions. Properly managing permissions is essential for securing your network and ensuring that users only have access to the resources they need.

Creating User Groups

The first step is to create user groups based on roles or departments within your organization. For example, you might have groups for "Sales", "Marketing", "IT", and "Administrators".

  1. Open Active Directory Users and Computers: You can find this in Server Manager under "Tools".
  2. Create a New Group: Right-click on the OU where you want to create the group (e.g., "Users") and select "New" > "Group".
  3. Specify Group Name and Type: Enter a name for the group and choose the group type (usually "Security") and scope (usually "Global").
  4. Add Members to the Group: Add the appropriate users to the group by clicking on the "Members" tab and selecting "Add".

Assigning Permissions to Resources

Once you’ve created your user groups, you can assign permissions to resources such as files, folders, and printers.

  1. Locate the Resource: Find the file, folder, or printer that you want to assign permissions to.
  2. Open Properties: Right-click on the resource and select "Properties".
  3. Security Tab: Go to the "Security" tab.
  4. Edit Permissions: Click on "Edit" to change the permissions.
  5. Add Groups or Users: Click on "Add" to add the user groups or users that you want to grant permissions to.
  6. Assign Permissions: Select the group or user and choose the appropriate permissions (e.g., "Read", "Write", "Modify", "Full Control").

Best Practices for Managing Permissions

Here are some best practices to keep in mind when managing user group permissions:

  • Principle of Least Privilege: Grant users only the permissions they need to perform their job duties. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and accidental data loss.
  • Use Groups Instead of Individual Users: Assign permissions to groups rather than individual users. This makes it easier to manage permissions and ensures consistency across your network.
  • Regularly Review Permissions: Periodically review your permissions to ensure that they are still appropriate and that no users have been granted excessive access.
  • Document Your Permissions: Keep a record of your permissions so that you can easily understand who has access to what resources.

So, there you have it! Setting up a domain on Windows Server 2019 with the right antivirus, CMD restrictions, and user group permissions might seem daunting, but breaking it down into manageable steps makes it totally achievable. Remember to keep your server secure and your users happy, and you'll be golden! Good luck, and have fun building your awesome domain! This setup ensures a secure and well-managed environment for your network.