Windows VM Server Setup and Network Management

I need a clean, production-ready Windows Server virtual machine brought online from scratch. The goal is straightforward: spin up a fresh VM, install the latest supported Windows Server edition, apply best-practice hardening, and make sure the machine is fully reachable on our internal network.

Here’s how I picture the flow:

• Provision the VM on our existing virtualization platform (VMware ESXi is available, though I’m open to Hyper-V or Proxmox if you can make a solid case).
• Perform the full Windows Server installation, activate it, run all current updates, and configure roles and features we discuss—most likely AD DS, DNS, and basic file sharing.
• Apply baseline security: strong group policies, firewall rules, and malware protection.
• Set static IP addressing, test connectivity, and confirm seamless domain integration with our current environment.
• Deliver concise documentation of every step, including admin credentials, network settings, and a quick-start guide so future maintenance is easy.

Successful delivery means the VM boots without errors, responds to ping/RDP from designated subnets, and passes our internal security checklist. If you prefer automation, PowerShell DSC or Ansible scripts are more than welcome; otherwise, a manual build with screenshots and notes is fine.

Tell me which hypervisor you prefer, any licensing considerations I should handle up front, and your estimated timeframe so I can slot this into our change window.