How to create your own system administrator home lab?

Question

Computer networks

Since I don't have many friends who are good system administrators, I would like to ask you for advice. How can I create a lab at home in order to test, feel and configure the work of services and features of Windows Server 2008-2012 and more. As they say, to the maximum. For example, create a domain zone, a DHCP cluster, AD, and the like. Is it possible to implement all this on virtual machines? Or can I buy a couple of old PCs and try to play client-server?

Answer 1

Can be implemented in virtual machines.

Answer 2

When there was no work, I had to pervert at home on a mediocre laptop (i5,8Gb). I installed VMWare Workstation, raised a virtual machine with win2012r2, win7 and watched courses. He did everything that the lecturer did on the screen. There will be a lot of information in a pen, so I advise you to write it down.

Answer 3

vmware and forward, the network is theoretically possible - to get into plugs with external routing, but it rarely happens in life

Answer 4

One good host is enough - put, for example, ESXi on it - then everything can be done as virtual machines.