Active Directories

Active directory is directory service which contains information of all users accounts and shared resources on network

Active directory Is centralize hierarchical directory database

Purpose of ACTIVE directory

It provides user logon and authentication services using Kerberos

It organize and manage:- User accounts- Computer- Group- Network resources

It enables authorized user to easily access the network resources

Feature of Active directory:- Fully integrated security- Easy administration using group policy- Scalable to any size network- Flexible

Structure of active directory

- Logical structure- Physical structure

Logical structure of active directory* Domain* Tree - Parent/root - Child/ branch* Forest

Components of active directory

- Physical component: DC and sites

- Logical component: OU (organizational unit)

Domain

- Domain is a logical secure administrative boundary

- Creating initial domain controller in network also creates domain- you can not have domain without at least one domain controller

Each domain in directory is identify by DNS domain name

Requirement for configuring DC1) Workgroup2) Static ip address3) DNS server4) 250MB free space5) 2003 cd for installing DNS service6) NTFS volume

While installing active directory two folders will get create NTDS and SYSVOL

NTDS will be used for storing Active directory database

SYSVOL (sysvolume) will be used for storing group policy and scripts

Location for active directory database file is systemdrive:\windows\NTDS\NTDS.DIT

(New technology directory service. Directory information tree)

Five tools are installed on domain controller1) AD users and computer2) AD domain and trust3) AD sites and services4) DC security policy5) Domain security policy

To check whether active directory services is installed on server OS then use “net accounts” command from command prompt