What is Active Directory?

Following this article, you will be able to:

• Explain what an  Active Directory is
• The definition of an Active Directory Domain Services
• Its usefulness in your system

Do you know the definition of Active Directory (AD)? This software created by Microsoft is an absolutely essential element to master for companies of all sizes and in all sectors.

1. Define Active Directory

As mentioned above, Active Directory is a software distributed by Microsoft. It consists of combining several services running on the Windows Server platform. Active Directory manages network permissions and resources.

Additionally, the software preserves company data as objects. An object can be many things. It can be an item like a user, a group, an application, or simply a connected device like a printer.

Active Directory categorizes objects by name or attributes. For example, a single name can include a set of information such as data associated with a user, that user's passwords, and SSH security keys.

2. Active Directory includes something else

The main service of Active Directory is Domain Services (AD DS), which stores information and manages user interactions with the managed domain.

In other words, AD DS is like a security guard; it will check the user's access when they decide to connect to the server. It will manage the resources they can and cannot use. This security will ensure that a user has access only to the files that are relevant to them.

3. The main functions of Active Directory Domain Services

AD DS is a combination of multiple layers of elements such as domains, paths, and networks. A domain is a network of objects, such as a group of objects, users, or devices. Domains are Domain Name Systems (DNS).

A path tree is a combination of one or more domains grouped together. The path set is a continuous structure used to group the different available domains in a hierarchical manner.

Concretely, a path can be seen as a relationship of trust between two entities. This connection is established securely and based on trust. This connection can
connect two or more domains.

Given the hierarchical relationship between the paths, the first domain will trust the second, third, and so on without first establishing a new trust relationship between them. The term forest is  a group of multiple paths. A forest is about sharing shared folders and organizing the structure between the database.

4. The Organizational Unit

Finally, an Organizational Unit (OU) organizes users, groups, and devices. Each domain in Active Directory has its own OU.  However, the OU cannot have a space-separated name. Each user has their own unique name.

5. In summary

Here are the elements that define Active Directory and Domain Services. AD is a service that centralizes the management of users, computers, and objects within the network. Its main function is to authorize users who want to enter the network.

PAL TI can help you set up your Active Directory Domain System. We hope you enjoyed this article and that it convinced you of the importance of AD DS for your business, and that you're now comfortable explaining this concept. If you have any questions or would like assistance with your Active Directory setup process, please contact us.

We would be happy to learn more about your goals and how we can use IT to help you achieve them.

About Nexxo

Nexxo Solutions informatique is a company specializing in providing IT and technology services to Quebec businesses. Its mission is to offer Quebec companies IT services tailored to their needs. Acting as an external IT department, it handles all of a company's IT tasks, allowing it to focus on its business activities. It achieves this by collaborating closely with its clients and putting their interests at the center of its concerns.