Active Directory Overview

Overview of Active Directory

• A directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks.
• Centralizes network management, authentication, and resource allocation.

Key Components

1. Domain:

   • A logical group of network objects (users, devices, etc.).
   • Defines security policies and user rights.

2. Organizational Units (OUs):

   • Sub-divisions within domains.
   • Used for grouping users and resources for easier management.

3. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS):

   • Core service that stores directory data and manages user access to resources.

4. Domain Controllers (DC):

   • Servers that authenticate users and manage domain security.
   • Store a copy of the AD DS database.

5. Forest:

   • A collection of one or more domains that share a common schema and configuration.

6. Tree:

   • A hierarchy of one or more domains that share a contiguous namespace.

Functions of Active Directory

• Authentication:

  • Validates user credentials and manages logins.

• Authorization:

  • Determines user permissions to access resources.

• Policy Enforcement:

  • Applies Group Policies to manage user and computer environments.

• Replication:

  • Synchronizes directory changes across multiple domain controllers.

Key Concepts

• Group Policy:

  • A feature that allows administrators to implement specific configurations for users and computers.

• LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol):

  • Protocol used to access and maintain directory information services.

• Trust Relationships:

  • Links between different domains that allow users in one domain to access resources in another.

• Schema:

  • Defines the structure of data within the directory, including object types and attributes.

Security Features

• Kerberos Authentication:

  • Default authentication protocol used by AD for secure user authentication.

• Access Control Lists (ACLs):

  • Define permissions and rights for accessing objects within AD.

Management Tools

• Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC):

  • GUI tool for managing AD objects.

• Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC):

  • Enhanced management interface for AD.

• Windows PowerShell:

  • Command-line interface for scripting and automating AD management tasks.

Best Practices

• Regularly update and patch domain controllers.
• Implement a strong password policy.
• Use Group Policies for consistent security settings.
• Monitor and audit Active Directory for unauthorized access or changes.

Overview of Active Directory

• Developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks, centralizing network management, authentication, and resource allocation.

Key Components

• Domain: Logical grouping of network objects (e.g., users, devices) that defines security policies and user rights.
• Organizational Units (OUs): Sub-divisions of domains used for easier management by grouping users and resources.
• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS): Core service responsible for storing directory data and managing user access to resources.
• Domain Controllers (DC): Servers that authenticate users, manage domain security, and store a copy of the AD DS database.
• Forest: Collection of one or more domains sharing a common schema and configuration.
• Tree: Hierarchical structure of one or more domains that share a contiguous namespace.

Functions of Active Directory

• Authentication: Validates user credentials and manages login processes.
• Authorization: Determines user permissions for resource access.
• Policy Enforcement: Applies Group Policies to manage user and computer environments effectively.
• Replication: Synchronizes directory changes across multiple domain controllers to maintain consistency.

Key Concepts

• Group Policy: Allows administrators to enforce specific configurations for both users and computers.
• LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol): Protocol for accessing and maintaining directory information services.
• Trust Relationships: Links between different domains permit users in one domain to access resources in another.
• Schema: Defines the structure of directory data, including object types and their attributes.

Security Features

• Kerberos Authentication: Default protocol for secure user authentication within Active Directory.
• Access Control Lists (ACLs): Define permissions and rights for accessing various objects within Active Directory.

Management Tools

• Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC): GUI tool for managing Active Directory objects.
• Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC): Enhanced management interface for streamlined administration tasks.
• Windows PowerShell: Command-line interface for automating and scripting Active Directory management tasks.

Best Practices

• Regularly update and patch domain controllers to ensure security and performance.
• Implement a strong password policy to protect user accounts.
• Utilize Group Policies to maintain consistent security settings across the network.
• Monitor and audit Active Directory to detect unauthorized access or changes efficiently.

Explore the fundamentals of Active Directory, a Microsoft-developed directory service for Windows domain networks. Learn about its key components such as domains, organizational units, and authentication mechanisms.