Which directory contains all the information about the Active Directory objects?
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Microsoft Active Directory for Windows networks can be used to centrally manage internal company IT resources, edit rights and policies, and monitor various services. Here, we explain what the directory service is all about and how Windows AD works. Show
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Hosting with IONOS — Fast, Flexible, Secure Discover fast and secure hosting for any project. We've got your code covered, whether you're on the backend, frontend, or the frontlines.  Active Directory: definitionActive Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows networks. AD plays an important role for companies with complex IT resources, user rights, and hierarchical workgroups. Basically, you can think of Active Directory as an address book of sorts, though with many more options for administrators to manage, edit, query, and structure stored user and object data. The IT structure of an organization can be divided into so-called domains with the help of the directory service and can be clearly replicated. How Active Directory worksThe best way to illustrate how Active Directory works in Windows network servers and what tasks it performs is to use an example: Imagine a large company with 150 employees. All employees depend on the company’s internal IT infrastructure, such as user accounts, printers, scanners, and rights on computers in different work groups. To avoid having to manage IT resources individually for each workstation, Active Directory can map corporate structures, store user and object data, and centrally manage and distribute rights. For example, a password change doesn’t have to be made on each device, but only once in the Windows AD. System updates and upgrades can also be performed centrally in this way. AD administration and write access to IT resources is in the hands of system administrators. The tasks of the Microsoft Active Directory include:
Tip Make use of all the benefits of Windows Active Directory for your business, including Microsoft 365 with IONOS, including all Windows services. Basic structure of AD in Windows networksAn Active Directory basically consists of three central components: schema, configuration, and domain. At the heart of this are domains, which contain all the important information about IT resources and users and map the network. Equally important for the overall structure are the database and its objects. Below, we take a look at the individual components.
SchemaAs the name suggests, the AD schema serves as a template for required and permitted classifications as well as types of AD entries. This includes objects and their attributes, classes, and the syntax of attributes. The schema uses definitions to determine which objects are available or can be made available on the network. ConfigurationWhile the schema defines the possible contents, the AD configuration maps the structure of the Active Directory and all contained objects, user roles, and shares. This includes existing domains that subdivide workgroups in the computer network. In turn, domain-specific content and information is only available via internal domain controllers of the respective domain. These contain a global catalog with all important information and partial information about the schema, configuration, and other domains in the same network. The global catalog can be used to search for and retrieve important partial information across domains. DomainDomains are the basis of Active Directory and are used in the hierarchical structuring of objects, workgroups, and users managed by administrators. Like directories and subdirectories, a domain contains all information about objects and attributes that only concern the domain. Domain-specific information can be accessed from other domains only if they are included in the global catalog. All other information is available only on the internal domain controller. A domain is therefore an important structuring element, defining administrative and network units into areas, workgroups, and departments, and hierarchically structuring authorizations. Domain names are assigned in the same way as with classic DNS servers. Database and objectsThe Active Directory database is based on the Microsoft Jet Engine, similar to a Microsoft Exchange Server. It is object-based and hierarchical. The objects represent the respective data sets and group policies for IT resources. Their properties are called attributes and their types are defined accordingly. Objects are subdivided into “accounts” (e.g. service- and user-related accounts for employees, groups, or devices) and “resources” (e.g. shares for applications and services). Objects are divided into “containers”, which contain further predefined or self-defined objects, and “non-containers”, which don’t contain any further objects and are also called end nodes/leaf nodes. Four key technical AD componentsFour central standards are used to enable uniform communication between computers, applications, services, AD directories, and domains:
How hierarchy works in Active DirectoryIf you only take a quick look, you won’t see the Active Directory for the trees. Although it may sound like a bad pun, it’s actually true, because the overall structure of AD is also called the forest and can contain several trees in the form of root domains and subdomains of a DNS space. Containers organized into domains are considered the lowest unit. Joined domains map the organizational structure and resources of the enterprise, but can also be configured independently of physical and logical enterprise structures. In this way, several locations can be united in one domain or different domains can be managed at one location. Information that can be accessed by all AD users is
Domain-specific data, on the other hand, can only be accessed via the internal domain controllers already mentioned. A domain usually has two controllers, which prevent data loss through multimaster replication, i.e. backup controllers and AD copies. Note User rights, domains, and domain controllers are organized and configured by the responsible administrator. Active Directory advantagesThe advantages of Active Directory for complex Windows networks in companies at a glance:
HiDrive Cloud Storage with IONOS! Based in Europe, HiDrive secures your data in the cloud so you can easily access it from any device! Owner, Admin-C, and Tech-C: requirements in domain registration Admin-C, Tech-C, and Zone-C – these roles are all related to domain registration. They represent the important points of contact in domain operations, and their contact details can be found on every Whois entry. But what do these positions actually involve? Who are they filled by? And what rights do the Admin-C, Tech-C, and Zone-C really have? Owner, Admin-C, and Tech-C: requirements in domain registrationNetwork types at a glance When several computers are connected to one another it is known as a network. Networks enable data exchange between different devices, making shared resources available. Different network types are implemented depending on which transmission techniques and standards are used. These differ in terms of the number of connected systems and potential reach. Network types at a glanceNetwork protocol: The basis of electronic data exchange For computer systems to be able to communicate with each other and exchange information, they need common ground, just like humans must share a common language. But computers don’t rely on foreign language lessons, and instead only need the appropriate network protocol to successfully communicate. This provides guidelines and structures for the data transfer, and so plays a decisive role in the... Network protocol: The basis of electronic data exchangeHow to change startup programs in Windows 10 Like all modern Microsoft operating systems, Windows 10 has a built-in feature that allows you to automatically run system programs, user-defined programs, service applications and processes. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how the startup folder works in Windows 10 and how to add or remove specific applications. How to change startup programs in Windows 10What contains information about all objects in Active Directory?Active Directory uses a structured data store as the basis for a logical, hierarchical organization of directory information. This data store, also known as the directory, contains information about Active Directory objects.
Where is Active Directory information stored?The Active Directory data store
The AD database is stored in the NTDS. DIT file located in the NTDS folder of the system root, usually C:\Windows. AD uses a concept known as multimaster replication to ensure that the data store is consistent on all DCs. This process is known as replication.
What are the Active Directory objects?Active Directory stores data as objects. An object is a single element, such as a user, group, application or device such as a printer. Objects are normally defined as either resources, such as printers or computers, or security principals, such as users or groups.
What are the 3 main components of an Active Directory?The Active Directory structure is comprised of three main components: domains, trees, and forests. Several objects, like users or devices that use the same AD database, can be grouped into a single domain.
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