Networking / Beginners

Windows 2000 Active Directory and domains

Many administrators have found user management in Windows NT awkward, especially in large organizations. In the past, NetWare had the preferred method of account management for large numbers of user accounts. For this reason, Microsoft introduced its new approach to user and account management in Windows 2000 platforms-Active Directory. Active Directory is a cornerstone concept for Windows 2000 because it significantly affects the layout and makeup of a Windows 2000-based network.

Active Directory allows network objects such as users and groups to be placed into logical areas of a database. This database can then be distributed among various servers, all of which participate in the Active Directory structure. Because all the network object information is placed in a single database, albeit a distributed one, it can be used by any network application or subsystem, eliminating the need for duplicate information.

Active Directory obviates the old Windows NT PDC and BDC network layout. Instead, servers on a Windows 2000 network can either be domain controllers or member servers. Domain controllers are servers that have Active Directory installed and configured on them. Domain controllers store user account information and provide network authentication. Unlike a Windows NT domain, which can have only a single PDC, a Windows 2000 domain can have several domain controllers, with each one having a read/write copy of the Active Directory database. For fault-tolerant reasons, this is a good strategy to employ.

Note Active Directory is a complex subject, and the information presented here is only intended as a brief overview. For the Network this is all that is needed, but for the real world you will need to do more studying. For further information on Active Directory, refer to Microsoft's Web site (www.microsoft.com).

Member servers are not involved in the authentication of network users and do not take part in the Active Directory replication process. Member servers are commonly employed as file and print servers, or with additional software, as database servers, firewalls, or servers for other important network services.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Network Operating Systems and Clients
  2. Network operating systems
  3. Windows NT 4
  4. Domains and workgroups
  5. Windows NT 4 authentication
  6. Windows NT 4 file and print services
  7. Windows NT 4 application support
  8. Windows NT 4 security
  9. Windows NT 4 and Windows 2000 file system security
  10. Windows 2000
  11. Windows 2000 Active Directory and domains
  12. Windows 2000 authentication
  13. Windows 2000 file and print services
  14. Windows 2000 application support
  15. Novell NetWare
  16. NDS (Novell Directory Services)
  17. NetWare authentication
  18. NetWare file and print services
  19. NetWare application support
  20. NetWare security
  21. Linux
  22. Linux file and print services
  23. Linux application support
  24. Linux security
  25. Operating system interoperability
  26. Using Windows with NetWare
  27. Using Windows and Linux servers
  28. Using NetWare and Linux servers
  29. Operating system client support
  30. NetWare server client support
  31. Linux server client support
  32. Client operating systems
  33. Local security mechanisms for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me
  34. Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP Professional
  35. Client connectivity for Windows NT Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP Professional
  36. Applications for Linux
  37. Local security mechanisms for Linux
  38. Macintosh
  39. Application support for Macintosh
  40. Selecting a NIC and network configuration settings
  41. Connecting the PC to the network
  42. Testing and troubleshooting the NIC
  43. Configuring the NIC settings
  44. Configuring client systems for TCP/IP
  45. Configuring DNS server information
  46. Configuring WINS server information
  47. Using DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol)
  48. Configuring clients to access servers
  49. Client software for Microsoft networks on Windows 95/98/Me
  50. Novell client software
  51. Unix/Linux client software