Active Directory
Active Directory
Active Directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft that stores information about users, computers, and other objects within a network domain. It provides centralized management and authentication for all resources on the network.
What does Active Directory mean?
Active Directory (AD) is a proprietary directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is a hierarchical Data store that contains information about Network resources, such as users, computers, printers, and applications. AD allows administrators to centrally manage these resources and control access to them.
AD is based on the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), an open standard for accessing and maintaining directory information. However, AD also includes a number of proprietary features and extensions that make it more robust and scalable than LDAP.
AD is a critical component of many Windows networks. It provides a single point of administration for network resources, making it easier to manage and secure the network. AD also helps to improve Network Performance by providing a centralized way to resolve resource names and locate resources.
Applications
AD is used in a wide variety of applications, including:
- User account management: AD allows administrators to create, manage, and delete user accounts. It also provides a central way to store and manage user information, such as names, Email addresses, and phone numbers.
- Computer management: AD allows administrators to manage computers and other devices on the network. It provides a central way to track computer assets, deploy software, and manage security updates.
- Printer management: AD allows administrators to manage printers and other printing devices on the network. It provides a central way to track printer usage, manage printer drivers, and control access to printers.
- Application management: AD allows administrators to manage applications and other software on the network. It provides a central way to deploy applications, manage application updates, and control access to applications.
- Network security: AD plays a critical role in network security. It provides a central way to control access to network resources and enforce security policies. AD also helps to protect against unauthorized access to sensitive data.
History
AD was first released in 1999 as part of Windows 2000 Server. It was a major improvement over previous Windows directory services, such as NT Directory Services (NTDS). AD was designed to be more scalable, reliable, and secure than NTDS.
AD has undergone a number of significant updates over the years. In 2003, AD was updated to support Windows Server 2003. This update included a number of new features and enhancements, such as support for Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and Active Directory Rights Management Services (ADRMS).
In 2008, AD was updated to support Windows Server 2008. This update included a number of new features and enhancements, such as support for Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) and Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS).
In 2012, AD was updated to support Windows Server 2012. This update included a number of new features and enhancements, such as support for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS).
In 2016, AD was updated to support Windows Server 2016. This update included a number of new features and enhancements, such as support for Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) and Active Directory Recycle Bin.
AD continues to be developed and updated by Microsoft. It is a critical component of many Windows networks and plays a vital role in network management and security.