What is AD? An introduction to Active Directory

Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed via Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is protected in most Windows Server operating systems as a set of procedures and services. Initially, Active Directory was only in cost of centralized area management. Starting with Windows Server 2008, however, Active Directory grew to become an umbrella title for a wide range of directory-based identity-related services.

A server running Active Directory Domain Service (AD DS) is referred to as a domain controller. It authenticates and authorizes all users and computer systems in a Windows domain type network—assigning and enforcing safety policies for all computers and putting in or updating software. For example, when a person logs into a computer that is part of a Windows domain, Active Directory assessments the submitted password and determines whether the person is a device administrator or ordinary user. Also, it permits administration and storage of information, affords authentication and authorization mechanisms, and establishes a framework to installation other related services: Certificate Services, Active Directory Federation Services, Lightweight Directory Services, and Rights Management Services.


This tutorial is a perfect tool to learn Active Directory step-by-step. Now, you can dive deep into Active Directory structure, services, and components, chapter by chapter, and find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Active Directory regarding domain controllers, forests, FSMO roles, DNS and trusts, Group Policy, replication, auditing, and much more.

Get the most out of this content by easily switching from one chapter to another.

Table of contents:

• Introduction to Active Directory Services Technologies
• Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)
• Evolution of Windows Domain Controller
• Best Practices: Deploy and Set Up Domain Controller
• SYSVOL Directory
• Forests in Active Directory
• Best Practices: Active Directory Forests
• Active Directory Domain
• What Are the 5 FSMO Roles in Active Directory
• Trusts in Active Directory
• What are Group Policy and Group Policy Objects?
• How to Force a Group Policy Update and Refresh It in the Background
• Active Directory Database
• Active Directory Replication
• DNS in Active Directory
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
• Securing Active Directory
• Active Directory Auditing