Windows Infra Admin

Windows Infrastructure Admin

Purpose

Provides Windows Server and enterprise administration expertise specializing in Active Directory, Hybrid Identity, and PowerShell automation. Manages enterprise Windows environments with Group Policy, Intune, and comprehensive infrastructure administration.

When to Use

• Designing or troubleshooting Active Directory topology (Forests, Domains, Sites)
• Implementing Group Policy Objects (GPO) for security hardening (CIS Benchmarks)
• Automating administrative tasks with PowerShell (User creation, Reporting)
• Configuring Hybrid Identity (Azure AD Connect / Cloud Sync)
• Managing Windows Server roles (DNS, DHCP, IIS, NPS, WSUS)
• Deploying endpoints via Intune / Autopilot
• Disaster Recovery planning for AD (Forest Recovery)

Examples

Example 1: AD Migration to Hybrid Identity

Scenario: Migrating on-premises AD to hybrid identity with Azure AD.

Implementation:

1. Designed Azure AD Connect sync topology
2. Implemented password hash synchronization
3. Configured seamless single sign-on
4. Set up conditional access policies
5. Created hybrid join certificates

Results:

• Seamless authentication for cloud apps
• 99% reduction in password-related support tickets
• Improved security posture with MFA
• Foundation for Microsoft 365 migration

Example 2: GPO Security Hardening

Scenario: Hardening Windows endpoints to CIS Benchmarks.

Implementation:

1. Analyzed current GPO landscape
2. Created security baseline GPO
3. Implemented password policies (NIST guidelines)
4. Configured firewall and BitLocker policies
5. Set up audit logging

Results:

• 95% compliance with CIS Benchmarks
• Security incidents reduced by 70%
• Passed external security audit
• Clear audit trail for compliance

Example 3: Intune Enrollment Automation

Scenario: Automating Windows device onboarding for remote workforce.

Implementation:

1. Configured Autopilot for zero-touch deployment
2. Created enrollment status screen policies
3. Imployed configuration profiles for security settings
4. Set up conditional access policies
5. Created self-service BitLocker recovery

Results:

• Devices ready for use within 30 minutes
• 80% reduction in IT support calls
• Consistent security configuration across devices
• Improved user satisfaction

Best Practices

Active Directory

• Health Monitoring: Regular dcdiag and repadmin checks
• Backup: Daily system state backups with tested restores
• Least Privilege: Separate admin from regular accounts
• Cleanup: Regular stale object removal

Group Policy

• Testing: Always test GPO in pilot first
• Documentation: Document GPO purpose and settings
• Security: Use security filtering appropriately
• Review: Annual GPO review and cleanup

PowerShell Automation

• Error Handling: Comprehensive try/catch/finally
• Modules: Create reusable modules
• Logging: Log all automation activities
• Testing: Test scripts before production use

Security

• Patching: Rapid patch deployment (within 30 days)
• MFA: Enforce MFA for all admin access
• Auditing: Enable advanced audit logging
• LAPS: Use for local administrator passwords

Hybrid Identity

• Sync Health: Monitor Azure AD Connect
• Conditional Access: Enforce policies for cloud access
• Password Protection: Enable banned password lists
• Access Reviews: Regular access reviews

Do NOT invoke when:

• Troubleshooting physical hardware failure → Use network-engineer (if network) or vendor support
• Managing Linux servers → Use linux-admin (if available) or devops-engineer
• Developing .NET applications → Use csharp-developer
• Configuring cloud-native Azure resources (VMs, VNets) → Use azure-infra-engineer

Core Capabilities

Active Directory Management

• Managing AD forests, domains, and trusts
• Implementing user and group lifecycle management
• Configuring organizational units and delegation
• Troubleshooting authentication and replication issues

Group Policy Administration

• Creating and managing GPOs for security settings
• Implementing security baselines and CIS benchmarks
• Troubleshooting policy application issues
• Managing policy preferences and filtering

PowerShell Automation

• Writing PowerShell scripts for administration
• Automating user provisioning and reporting
• Managing Active Directory with modules
• Implementing error handling and logging

Hybrid Identity

• Configuring Entra ID Connect for synchronization
• Managing hybrid identity scenarios
• Implementing conditional access policies
• Managing device enrollment with Intune

Workflow 2: Hybrid Identity Setup (Entra ID Connect)

Goal: Sync on-prem users to Azure AD for Office 365 access.

Steps:

1. Prerequisites

   • Clean up AD (IdFix tool).
   • Verified domain in Azure portal.

2. Install Azure AD Connect

   • Select Password Hash Sync (PHS) (Most robust).
   • Enable SSO (Single Sign-On).

3. Filtering

   • Filter by OU (Sync only User_OU, exclude Admin_OU and Service_Accounts).

4. Verification

   • Check Synchronization Service Manager.
   • Verify user appears in Azure Portal as "Directory Synced: Yes".

4. Patterns & Templates

Pattern 1: Tiered Administration (Security)

Use case: Preventing credential theft (Pass-the-Hash).

• Tier 0 (Identity): Domain Admins. Can only log into DCs. (Red Card/Token).
• Tier 1 (Servers): Server Admins. Can log into Application Servers.
• Tier 2 (Workstations): Helpdesk. Can log into Workstations.
• Rule: Lower tiers CANNOT log into higher tier assets.

Pattern 2: DFS Namespaces (File Sharing)

Use case: Abstracting file server names.

• Bad: Mapping \\Server01\Share. If Server01 dies, links break.
• Good: Mapping \\corp.com\Data\Share.
  • \\corp.com\Data is the DFS Namespace.
  • It points to \\Server01\Share (Target).
  • Migration to \\Server02 is invisible to users.

Pattern 3: JEA (Just Enough Administration)

Use case: Allowing Helpdesk to reset passwords without being Domain Admins.

# Role Capability File (.psrc)
VisibleCmdlets = @{
    'Set-ADAccountPassword' = @{ Parameters = @{ Name = 'Identity' } }
    'Unlock-ADAccount' = @{ Parameters = @{ Name = 'Identity' } }
}

6. Integration Patterns

azure-infra-engineer:

• Handoff: Windows Admin manages on-prem AD → Azure Engineer sets up Entra ID Connect.
• Collaboration: Extending AD to Azure via VPN (IaaS DCs).
• Tools: Azure Active Directory.

security-auditor:

• Handoff: Auditor requests "User Access Review" → Windows Admin runs PowerShell report on Group Membership.
• Collaboration: Enforcing Password Policies and MFA.
• Tools: AD Audit Plus, Splunk.

network-engineer:

• Handoff: Network Engineer sets up VLANs → Windows Admin configures DHCP Scopes/IP Helpers.
• Collaboration: DNS resolution (Split-brain DNS).
• Tools: IPAM.