Run a domain on your VPS — domain controllers, users and groups, Group Policy, and DNS.
Active Directory turns a handful of servers into a managed domain: central logins, Group Policy, and DNS. Running it on a VPS is entirely practical, but the setup order and network design matter. These guides cover standing up a domain controller, managing it with Group Policy, and keeping it resilient across more than one DC.
Work through them in order, or jump straight to what you need.
Design a clean 2-DC Active Directory topology for Windows Server VPS deployments, including single-site defaults, multi-site replication, FSMO placement, and health checks.
Create your first GPO in 30 minutes: open gpmc.msc, link to an OU, set policies, test on one OU before broad deployment. Backup + restore included.
Promote a fresh Windows VPS to the first Active Directory domain controller in a new forest, then verify AD DS, DNS, Netlogon, SYSVOL, and basic users.
Deploy your first Windows Server, connect over RDP, and get the basics set up — plans, versions, users, and first-day configuration.
BrowseSet up and scale remote desktop — RDP, multi-user RDS, RemoteApp — plus how Windows Server and RDS CAL licensing actually works on a VPS.
BrowseSPLA, BYOL, RDS CALs, M365 Shared Computer Activation. What to buy, how to activate, how to stay compliant.
BrowseInstall, tune, secure, and back up SQL Server on Windows — editions, sizing, TempDB, and memory tuning.
BrowseGenuine, fully-licensed Windows with full admin and RDP. We handle the Microsoft licensing, billed monthly with nothing upfront. On NVMe SSD, backed by a 14-day money-back guarantee.