Active Directory Cookbook (2024)

FAQs

What is the basic Active Directory? ›

Active Directory stores information about objects on the network and makes this information easy for administrators and users to find and use. Active Directory uses a structured data store as the basis for a logical, hierarchical organization of directory information.

The main difference between a Domain Controller and an Active Directory, is that an Active Directory (AD) manages your identity and gives secure access while Domain Controllers verify your authority. Consider this example: To log in to your computer, you must first verify your identity and establish your authority.

On the Server Manager window, click on Add roles and features, and click the Next button to start the setup process. On the window that says Select Server Roles, check the box that says Active Directory Domain Services. A pop-up box will appear. Click on Add Features, and then click Next to continue.

The difference between LDAP and Active Directory is that LDAP is a standard application protocol, while AD is a proprietary product. LDAP is an interface for communicating with directory services, such as AD. In contrast, AD provides a database and services for identity and access management (IAM).

Active Directory is still included in the successor to Windows Server 2022 with the current designation Windows Server vNext and is not marked as “outdated”.

PDC Emulator

Of all the FSMO roles mentioned above, the PDC Emulator is the most critical. Here's what they do: Update Passwords: Any change in the password across any domain controller will automatically be updated in the PDC emulator immediately.

Active Directory (AD) is a database and set of services that connect users with the network resources they need to get their work done. The database (or directory) contains critical information about your environment, including what users and computers there are and who's allowed to do what.

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is an application protocol for working with various directory services. Directory services, such as Active Directory, store user and account information, and security information like passwords.

An Active Directory (AD) tree is a collection of domains within a Microsoft Active Directory network. The term refers to the fact that each domain has exactly one parent, leading to a hierarchical tree structure. A group of AD trees is known as a forest.

How to setup simple Active Directory? ›

To create a Simple AD Active Directory. In the AWS Directory Service console navigation pane, choose Directories and then choose Set up directory. On the Select directory type page, choose Simple AD, and then choose Next.

I would say it is quite easy to get familiar with the basics of AD, but you will soon notice that it is a VERY complex and complete solution, there are tons of settings to consider, it takes years of training to be able to fully exploit it…

Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is Microsoft's enterprise cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution. Azure AD is the backbone of the Office 365 system, and it can sync with on-premise Active Directory and provide authentication to other cloud-based systems via OAuth.