New to Active Directory? Just want some basic information? A refresher? Let’s start with some Active Directory basics.
What is Active Directory?
Active Directory is a collection of services used for centralized identity and access management for and to resources on a network. Active Directory stores and manages information about network resources.
The Five Pillars of Active Directory
1. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
AD DS provides a centralized system for managing users, computers and other resources on a network utilizing a common management interface.
- Uses the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).
- Provides authentication services – who you are.
- Provides authorization services – what you can do.
2. Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
AD CS is the implementation of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for the issuance and management of digital certificates.
- Provides the infrastructure to create, store, distribute, revoke digital certificates for service, client, server and user identification.
3. Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)
AD FS provides a way to allow network access to and from external resources.
- Grants Resource access across traditional boundaries.
- Offers Web single sign-on (SSO) capabilities.
4. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)
AD LDS provides hierarchical file-based directory/information store capability without the overhead of a full AD DS installation.
- Uses the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).
5. Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)
AD RMS provides data protection.
- Maintains security of data both internally and externally.
- Safeguards digital information.
- Provides a way to specify access permissions to documents/workbooks/presentations.