Active Directory
Active directory is a hierarchical structure which stores information about objects on
the network. AD DS stores information about user accounts, such as names,
passwords, User Details, and so on.
This data store, also known as the directory, contains information about Active
Directory objects. These objects typically include shared resources such as servers,
volumes, printers, and the network user and computer accounts.
Security is integrated with Active Directory through logon authentication and access
control to objects in the directory..
Active Directory also includes:
the schema, defines the classes of objects and attributes contained in the
directory, the constraints and limits on instances of these objects, and the
format of their names. For more information about the schema, see Schema.
A global catalogue contains information about all objects in the directory.
This allows users and administrators to find directory information regardless of
which domain in the directory actually contains the data.
A query and index mechanism, so that objects and their properties can be
published and found by network users or applications.
A replication service that distributes directory data across a network. All
domain controllers in a domain participate in replication and contain a
complete copy of all directory information for their domain. Any change to
directory data is replicated to all domain controllers in the domain.
Active Directory (AD) is a directory service which is created by Microsoft for Windows domain
networks. Active directory is a database of Users, groups, services and resources like printers,
shared drive etc.
In active directory Users, groups, services are known as Objects.
In a windows domain network a Server where we installed and configure Active Directory are
called domain controller. Active Directory domain controller authenticates and authorizes to users
to access domain network resources.
Active Directory introduce in windows server 2000, active directory are called active directory
domain service (ADDS) in windows server 2008.ADDS is an upgraded version of AD and ADDS
create trust relationship with older version of AD network and has an feature to create trust
relationship with UNIX base network also.
ADDS provide an Multimaster Authentication and Multimaster Replication service and it helps to
administrator can manage directory data and services throughout their network, and authorized
network users can access resources anywhere on the network. Policy-based administration
eases the management of even the most complex network
By default Active Directory database is stored in the C:\Windows\NTDS folder, File location can
be changed during the active directory domain controller setup. AD data stored in Ntds.dit.
NTDS stands for NT Directory Services, Ntds.dit stored Active Directory data, including
information about users, groups and all network objects. SYSVOL folder is a shared folder that is
common for the domain. NTDS folder will be created automatically during set up the DC.
