What is Active Directory?
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It provides a centralized platform for managing user accounts, computer systems, security policies, and other network resources, ensuring that users and systems can securely access the resources they need.
Active Directory stores information about objects in the network, such as users, groups, devices, and services, in a hierarchical structure. This structure allows administrators to organize and control access to resources based on organizational needs, using features like Group Policy to enforce security settings and other configurations across the network.
Active Directory components and features
One of the core components of Active Directory is the Domain Controller, a server that authenticates and authorizes users and computers within a domain. Active Directory also includes features like Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) for directory queries, Kerberos-based authentication for secure access, and Single Sign-On (SSO) to streamline user access to multiple systems and applications.
Overall, Active Directory is an essential tool for managing large and complex on-prem IT environments, providing the infrastructure needed to ensure security, compliance, and efficient access to network resources.