// Write-Up
Step-by-Step Documentation
Step 1 — Received the Lab PC and Verified Hardware
Selected the HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Mini as a dedicated lab computer and purchased it refurbished on eBay. The machine arrived with Windows 11 Pro already installed — ready to begin setting up the virtualization environment.
Connected monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Powered on the machine to enter BIOS and verify the hardware was functional before beginning the OS installation.
// Add your photos and specific BIOS findings here when you complete your write-up.
Step 2 — Verified BIOS Virtualization Settings
Entered the HP BIOS setup by pressing F10 at startup. Located and confirmed that Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) was enabled. This setting is required for VMware Workstation Pro to create and run virtual machines — without it VMware will not function correctly.
// Add your BIOS screenshot showing VT-x enabled and document the exact menu path you followed.
Step 3 — Verified Windows 11 Pro and Ran Updates
The HP EliteDesk arrived with Windows 11 Pro already installed. Connected the machine to Wi-Fi, confirmed internet access, and ran Windows Update to make sure all updates and drivers were current before beginning the lab setup.
- STEP 01Powered on the machine and confirmed Windows 11 Pro loaded correctly
- STEP 02Connected to Wi-Fi and confirmed internet access
- STEP 03Ran Windows Update — installed all available updates
- STEP 04Checked Device Manager — confirmed all drivers working correctly
- STEP 05Verified system specs — Settings → System → About
// Add your Windows desktop screenshot and Device Manager screenshot here.
Step 4 — Created Organized Lab Folder Structure
Before installing any software, created the main lab directory at C:\IT-Labs with 8 organized subfolders. This keeps every file in a predictable location and makes documentation and GitHub uploads much easier.
// Add a screenshot of your File Explorer showing the complete C:\IT-Labs folder structure.
Step 5 — Downloaded and Installed All Core Lab Tools
On May 4, 2026 downloaded and installed all core software tools needed to build the virtual lab environment. Each tool was selected for a specific purpose aligned with CompTIA A+, networking, Linux, and cybersecurity practice goals.
- TOOL 01VMware Workstation Pro — Hypervisor to create and manage virtual machines
- TOOL 02Ubuntu Desktop ISO — Saved to C:\IT-Labs\01-ISOs for Linux VM creation
- TOOL 03Windows 10 ISO — Saved to C:\IT-Labs\01-ISOs for Windows VM creation
- TOOL 04Cisco Packet Tracer — Network simulation for routers, switches, PCs, and servers
- TOOL 05Wireshark — Network traffic capture and analysis for networking and cybersecurity labs
- TOOL 06Nmap — Port scanning and network discovery for security testing inside the lab
- TOOL 07PuTTY — SSH client for connecting into Linux systems and network devices
- TOOL 08OBS Studio — Screen recording for lab walkthroughs and project demonstrations
- TOOL 097-Zip — File extraction for ZIP, ISO-related files, and downloaded tool packages
These tools were chosen to build a strong beginner-friendly IT lab foundation — creating a safe and organized environment to practice real-world technical skills without using a personal machine for risky testing.
// Add screenshots of your downloaded tools, installation screens, and the C:\IT-Labs\08-Tools folder here.
Step 6 — Create Ubuntu-Lab-01 VM (In Progress)
Both ISOs are downloaded and saved to C:\IT-Labs\01-ISOs. The next step is creating the first virtual machine in VMware Workstation Pro using the Ubuntu ISO.
- NEXT 01Open VMware Workstation Pro and click New Virtual Machine
- NEXT 02Select Ubuntu ISO from C:\IT-Labs\01-ISOs as the installation source
- NEXT 03Configure VM: 2GB RAM, 2 CPU cores, 30GB storage, NAT network
- NEXT 04Complete Ubuntu installation and run all system updates
- NEXT 05Install lab tools: nmap, openssh-server, net-tools, curl, git
- NEXT 06Take VMware snapshot — name it: Clean Install - Before Labs
- NEXT 07Repeat process for Windows-Lab-01 using Windows 10 ISO
