First of all I would like to ask sorry to all the viewer of my blog that I was unable to blog continuously on the topic of Server.... Due to my final semester exams and project i am getting delay on posting blog.
Here on my last blog i have taught how to install Windows Server 2008 R2 in your machine. And now i will be sharing knowledge about Active Directory on this Blog. Before we go on how to install Active Directory on our machine. I would like to answer the Common Question.
What is Active Directory?
Active Directory is a hierarchical collection of network resources that can contain users, computers, printers, and other Active Directories. Active Directory Services (ADS) allow administrators to handle and maintain all network resources from a single location. Active Directory is a feature in Windows 7, Vista, XP and windows 200 beside Windows servers. This is the technology created by Microsoft to provide network services including LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) directory services; Kerberos based authentication, DNS naming, secure access to resource, and more. Active Directory uses a single jet database which a variety of services and applications can use to access and store a variety of information. Active Directory is used by system administrator to store information about users, assign security policies, and deploy software. AD is used in many different types and size of environments from the very small to hundred of thousands of users in a global environment.
Additional Active Directory Improvements
The Active Directory Installation Wizard includes several improvements over earlier versions. These improvements make it easier for an administrator to control the installation of domain controllers within the domain. Enhancements include:
New Forest Functional Level. Windows Server 2008 R2 includes a new Active Directory forest functional level. Many of the new features in the Active Directory server roles require the Active Directory forest to be configured with this new functional level.
Enhanced Command Line and Automated Management. Windows PowerShell cmdlets provide the ability to fully manage Active Directory server roles.
Improved Automated Monitoring and Notification. An updated System Center Manager 2007 Management Pack helps improve the monitoring and management of Active Directory server roles.
Better Management with Server Manager. Server Manager, the Windows Server 2008 R2 server management tool, allows an administrator to pre-stage domain controllers. When the domain controller role is added from the Server Manager console, the files that are needed to perform the installation of the directory service are copied to the server. When an administrator starts the Installation Wizard, dcpromo.exe, the files are already cached and available.
Improved Compliance with Established Standards and Best Practices. Windows Server 2008 R2 includes an integrated Best Practices Analyzer for each of the server roles. The Best Practices Analyzer creates a checklist within Server Manager for the role, which you can use to help perform all the configuration tasks.
Answer File Creation. If several domain controllers use the same settings when they are installed, the Summary page allows you to export the settings from the current installation into an answer file. The password used for your Directory Services Restore Mode administrator account is not exported with the answer file, and you can specify that the user who is installing the domain controller is always prompted for the administrator password. This way, passwords are not accessible to users who have access to the location where the answer files are stored.
Read-Only Domain Controller Installation The Read-Only Domain Controller role can be installed using the Installation Wizard. When installing a Read-Only Domain Controller, you can define who is allowed to install and manage the domain controller. In the first phase of the installation, a domain administrator can define the account that can install the Read-Only Domain Controller. Once defined, the user that is associated with the Read-Only Domain Controller will have the rights to install the directory service.