Overview

This is the fourth post in a multi-part series that illustrates how to customize the Windows installer media to automate the process of installing a Windows AD domain controller, a Windows file server, and a Windows desktop environment. This article details the process for implementing a Linux router VM to provide internet access to the AD Lab.

Hyper-V natively provides network address translation (“NAT”) but implementing this Linux router allows for future revisions of the AD Lab to implement advanced concepts like multiple subnets.

Create the Virtual Machines

Use these steps to create four virtual machines. Open Hyper-V Manager and click New > Virtual Machine:

Specify Name and Location

VM	Name
Router	AD Lab 01 router.contoso.com
DC	AD Lab 02 dc.contoso.com
Server	AD Lab 03 server.contoso.com
Client	AD Lab 04 client.contoso.com

Specify Generation

All VMS: select Generation 2.

Assign Memory

VM	Startup memory
Router	1024
DC	2048
Server	2048
Client	4096

Configure Networking

VM	Connection
Router	AD Lab External
DC	AD Lab Private
Server	AD Lab Private
Client	AD Lab Private

Connect Virtual Hard Disk

All VMs: accept the default Name and Location, and set size as follows:

VM	Size
Router	64
DC	128
Server	128
Client	128

Installation Options

VM	option	Image file (.iso)
Router	Install an operating system from a bootable image file	`AlmaLinux-9.5-x86_64-minimal.iso`
DC	Install an operating system later	NA
Server	Install an operating system later	NA
Client	Install an operating system later	NA

Edit the Hyper-V Virtual Machine Settings

Use these steps to edit the virtual machines. Open Hyper-V Manager, select a VM, and click Settings:

Security

VM	Template	Enable Trusted Platform Module
Router	Microsoft UEFI Certificate Authority	No
DC	Microsoft Windows	Yes
Server	Microsoft Windows	Yes
Client	Microsoft Windows	Yes