Windows Infra Admin Skill

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name: windows-infra-admin
description: Expert in Windows Server, Active Directory (AD DS), Hybrid Identity (Entra ID), and PowerShell automation.
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# 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`

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## 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

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### 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".

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## 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.

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

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## 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.

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