Institution
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Project Background
Project Overview
This final project brought together the core workstation-support skills developed in CSNT115. I created a Windows 10 virtual machine, completed a custom installation and out-of-box configuration, installed VirtualBox Guest Additions, renamed the host, and prepared a separate NTFS storage volume.
The project then moved into operational configuration and support: assigning a static IPv4 address, validating connectivity, managing firewall profiles, installing printer software, creating files on the secondary volume, and completing a full Microsoft Defender scan. Every stage was captured in a 46-page illustrated report.
Project Summary
Project at a Glance
A practical endpoint-administration exercise covering the workstation lifecycle from deployment through verification.
Instructor
Robert Havens
Completed
04 December 2024
Duration
One Week
Hypervisor
Oracle VirtualBox
Operating System
Windows 10
Project Scope
New System Configuration
Documentation
46 Pages
Tools and Platforms
Technologies Used
The project combined virtualization, Windows administration utilities, networking tools, endpoint security, and peripheral support.
Oracle VirtualBox
Virtual-machine creation, installation media, virtual storage, and Guest Additions.
Windows 10
Custom installation, OOBE, local accounts, host configuration, settings, and updates.
Disk Management
Partitioning, NTFS formatting, volume labels, drive letters, and storage validation.
Windows CLI
ipconfig and ping for address and connectivity verification.
Windows Security
Defender Firewall profiles, antivirus settings, and full-system malware scanning.
HP Printer Software
Vendor driver acquisition, installation, configuration, and peripheral troubleshooting.
Implementation
Workstation Configuration Workflow
The project followed a complete deployment sequence with validation and troubleshooting at each milestone.
VM Deployment
Created the VirtualBox machine, attached installation media, partitioned storage, and completed a custom Windows installation.
Initial Configuration
Completed OOBE, created a local account, configured privacy choices, installed Guest Additions, and renamed the workstation.
Storage Management
Provisioned unallocated disk space as a separate NTFS volume, assigned a drive letter, and verified file creation and persistence.
Network Configuration
Assigned static IPv4 settings, verified the configuration with ipconfig, and tested connectivity with ping.
Endpoint Security
Configured Windows Defender Firewall profiles, reviewed security settings, and completed a full antivirus scan with no threats found.
Drivers and Peripherals
Installed HP printer software and documented the limitation encountered when the physical device was unavailable to the virtual machine.
Applied Knowledge
Project Highlights
The final implementation demonstrated both routine support procedures and practical troubleshooting.
- Custom Windows installation with separate system and storage volumes
- Local account, host naming, privacy, and post-installation configuration
- Static addressing and command-line connectivity verification
- Firewall profile configuration and Microsoft Defender validation
- Driver installation and peripheral troubleshooting
- Step-by-step technical documentation with screenshots and observed results
Applied Knowledge
Skills Demonstrated
The completed workstation demonstrated practical endpoint deployment, administration, validation, and documentation skills.
- Virtual Machine Deployment
- Windows Installation
- OOBE and Local Account Setup
- Guest Additions and Drivers
- NTFS Volume Management
- Static IPv4 Configuration
- Command-Line Testing
- Firewall Profile Management
- Peripheral Installation
- Microsoft Defender Scanning
- Troubleshooting and Workarounds
- Technical Documentation
Final Deliverable
Implementation Documentation
The original 46-page report preserves the complete sequence of configuration steps, screenshots, troubleshooting notes, and validation results.
Windows Deployment Report
CSNT115 Final Project
An illustrated implementation record covering the complete Windows workstation deployment and verification workflow.
Project Reflection
Lessons Learned
The project reinforced that a successful operating-system deployment extends well beyond installation. Storage, networking, drivers, security controls, updates, accounts, peripherals, and recovery options all affect whether a workstation is supportable.
It also demonstrated the value of documenting limitations honestly. Windows activation and the unavailable physical printer prevented two requested outcomes, but testing alternative systems and recording the constraints showed how structured troubleshooting preserves useful results.
Continue Exploring
Explore More Technical Work
Continue to the A+ Hardware Essentials project or browse the complete technical portfolio.