Active Directory provides centralized authentication and authorization services for Windows-based networks. It allows users to log in and access resources such as files, printers, and applications using a single set of credentials.
Key components of Active Directory include:
- Domains: A domain is a logical grouping of network objects, such as computers, users, and devices, that share a common namespace. Each domain has its own database and security policies.
- Domain Controllers: Domain controllers are servers that store a copy of the Active Directory database and authenticate users who attempt to log in to the domain. They also replicate changes to the directory database to other domain controllers within the same domain.
- Organizational Units (OUs): OUs are containers within a domain that allow administrators to organize and manage objects in a hierarchical structure. OUs can have their own group policies applied to them, allowing for granular control over security and configuration settings.
- Group Policy: Group Policy allows administrators to define and enforce security and configuration settings for users and computers within a domain. Policies can be applied at the domain, OU, or individual object level.
- LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol): Active Directory uses LDAP as its primary means of querying and modifying directory information. LDAP is an industry-standard protocol used for accessing and managing directory services.
- Global Catalog: The Global Catalog is a distributed data repository that contains a partial replica of all objects in the entire Active Directory Forest. It enables users to search for directory information across multiple domains in a forest without needing to know the exact location of the objects.
Active Directory plays a crucial role in the management and security of Windows-based networks, providing a scalable and centralized solution for directory services.