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An active directory is a directory structure used on Microsoft Windows based computers and servers to store information and data about networks and domains. It is primarily used for online information and was originally created in 1996 and first used with Windows 2000.
An active directory (sometimes referred to as an AD) does a variety of functions including the ability to provide information on objects, helps organize these objects for easy retrieval and access, allows access by end users and administrators and allows the administrator to set security up for the directory.
An active directory can be defined as a hierarchical structure and this structure is usually broken up into three main categories, the resources that might include hardware such as printers, services for end users such as web email servers and objects, which are the main functions of the domain and network.
It is interesting to note the framework for the objects. Remember that an object can be a piece of hardware such as a printer, end user or security settings set by the administrator. These objects can hold other objects within their file structure. All objects have an ID, usually an object name (folder name). In addition to these objects being able to hold other objects, every object has its own attributes, which allows it to be characterized by the information, which it contains. Most IT professionals call these setting or characterizations schemas.
Depending on the type of schema created for a folder, will ultimately determine how these objects are used. For instance, some objects with certain schemas can not be deleted, they can only be deactivated. Others types of schemas with certain attributes can be deleted entirely. For instance, a user object can be deleted, but the administrator object can not be deleted.
When understanding active directories, it is important to know the framework that objects can be viewed at. In fact, an active directory can be viewed at either one of three levels, these levels are called forests, trees or domains. The highest structure is called the forest because you can see all objects included within the active directory.
Within the Forest structure are trees, these structures usually hold one or more domains, going further down the structure of an active directory are single domains. To put the forest, trees and domains into perspective, consider the following example.
A large organization has many dozens of users and processes. The forest might be the entire network of end users and specific computers at a set location. Within this forest directory are now trees that hold information on specific objects such as domain controllers, program data, system, etc. Within these objects are even more objects which can then be controlled and categorized
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoAn AD lets you manage your network from one point.
Its very convienent.
Its easy to use
Easy to set-up
Very flexible
If your AD goes down your networks down
Though it's easy to set-up, if set-up wrong it can be a very timely and costly procedure to remove and start again
You have to install DNS first, and some people (for whatever reasons) cant fully get their heads round DNS
Its very easy to hack an AD
advantages
more secure
delegation easy
robust
easy manageability(ou)
easy administration and control
all regions have same data
can manage millions of objects
search easy
Increases the Productivity of Users
Reduces the Burden of IT Administration
Increase Fault Tolerance to minimize Downtime
It improves Security
disadvantage
cost of infrastructure
good planning is must
Complex structure for user
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoMuch better security ad service availability.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agothe Active directory is centralized administration of all the resources present in the network.
users, computers, groups,OU etc...
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What are the main benefits of the LDAP Active Directory?
The main benefits of using an active directory like LDAP Active Directory are many. One can use an active directory to allow for scheduling to made and updated in a timely manner.
What main group type is found in Active Directory?
The main group type found in active directory is the security group.
What is the purpose of the Directory Services Restore Mode password?
Repair or recover Active Directory.
What is the purpose of the active directory sites and services console?
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How do you access different features to the active directory?
The Active Directory administrative tools can only be used from a computer with access to a domain. The following Active Directory administrative tools are available on the Administrative Tools menu: Active Directory Users and Computers (dsa.msc) Active Directory Domains and Trusts (domain.msc) Active Directory Sites and Services (dssite.msc)
What do active directory clients rely on in DNS to locateresources in active directory?
DHCP
What are several of the largest advantages of using active directory integrated zones as a type for a larger organization?
The main zone types used in Windows Server 2003 DNS environments are primary zones and Active Directory-integrated zones. Both primary zones and secondary zones are standard DNS zones that use zone files. The main difference between primary zones and secondary zones is that primary zones can be updated. Secondary zones contain read-only copies of zone data.An Active Directory-integrated zone can be defined as an improved version of a primary DNS zone because it can use multi-master replication and the security features of Active Directory. The zone data of Active Directory-integrated zones are stored in Active Directory.Active Directory-integrated zones are authoritative primary zones.A few advantages that Active Directory-integrated zone implementations have over standard primary zone implementations are:Active Directory replication is faster, which means that the time needed to transfer zone data between zones is far less.The Active Directory replication topology is used for Active Directory replication, and for Active Directory-integrated zone replication. There is no longer a need for DNS replication when DNS and Active Directory are integrated.Active Directory-integrated zones can enjoy the security features of Active Directory.The need to manage your Active Directory domains and DNS namespaces as separate entities is eliminated. This in turn reduces administrative overhead.When DNS and Active Directory are integrated; the Active Directory-integrated zones are replicated, and stored on any new domain controllers automatically. Synchronization takes place automatically when new domain controllers are deployed
What are some Active Directory tutorial books?
Some books one could use as tutorials for Active Directory are Active Directory Cookbook, Active Directory for Dummies as well as Windows 2000 Active Directory. All have various problem solving techniques one could use and they can be easily referenced.
What do you mean by active directory user?
Active directory users are nothing but the ones those are authenticated or able to access the directory with all the benefits of directory
Where the Active Directory held?
Active directory is held in the sysvol folder in the C drive.
What does Active Directory use to allow administrators to query and modify users groups and computers?
The DS tools consist of the following commands DSQUERY - search for active directory objects matching criteria DSGET - retrieves selected attributes from active directory objects DSMOD - modify attributes for one or more active directory objects DSADD - create active directory objects DSMOVE - move active directory objects DSRM - removes/deletes active directory objects
What is the purpose of the active directory protocal?
to provide a way to segregate network resources and asign management responsibilities to any csa
