NTDS.DIT
Active Directory was previewed in 1999, released first with Windows 2000 Server edition, and revised to extend functionality and improve administration in Windows Server 2003. Additional improvements were made in Windows Server 2003 R2. Active Directory was refined further in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 and was renamed Active Directory Domain Services. Active Directory was called NTDS (NT Directory Service) in older Microsoft documents. This name can still be seen in some Active Directory binaries.
ntds.dit
Just run 'dcpromo'.
Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003 Networkhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc780036.aspx
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
Windows 2003 Server is the Best
Active Directory on a Windows Server 2003 Networkhttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc780036.aspxit contains the logical diagram
member servers
The DNS Server Role and the active directory is not installed till the adds service is started on the server 2008.if the service is not started(one needs to check the option under roles of the server)the active directory installation wont happen.this feature is only in 2008 not in 2003.The active directory works as service in 2008
dsa.msc
15 custom attributes used to track information not store with active directory objects.
DCDiag is a utility program used in Windows Server 2003 and above for diagnosing problems with AD (Active Directory). It can be used to test problems with Active Directory as well as diagnosing DNS problems.