WHAT IS ACTIVE DIRECTORY SERVER?

Active Directory (AD) Server is a directory service used to centrally manage users, computers, permissions, and resources in a Windows-based network.

It allows administrators to control who can log in, what they can access, and how systems are configured…all from one central place.

Instead of managing each computer individually, Active Directory manages everything centrally and securely.

So, Active Directory = centralized identity + access + policy control

KEY FUNCTIONS OF ACTIVE DIRECTORY

1) Centralized User Management
Creates and manages user accounts, groups, and credentials in one place.

2) Authentication & Authorization
Verifies user identity (login) and determines what resources they are allowed to access.

3) Group Policy Management
Applies security rules and configurations automatically (password policy, USB restriction, software settings).

4) Resource Management
Controls access to shared resources like file servers, printers, applications, and databases.

5) Device Management
Manages computers and servers joined to the domain with consistent security policies.

WHY IS ACTIVE DIRECTORY IMPORTANT?

✔️ Simplifies user and access management
✔️ Improves security with centralized control
✔️ Enforces consistent policies across the organization
✔️ Scales easily from small offices to large enterprises
✔️ Essential for Windows-based enterprise environments

Without Active Directory, managing users and permissions becomes manual, inconsistent, and risky.

COMMON ACTIVE DIRECTORY COMPONENTS

Domain Controller (DC)
Users & Groups
Domains, Trees, and Forests
Group Policy Objects (GPO)
LDAP & Kerberos authentication

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