Appendix D: Active Directory Basics
Overview
With Windows 2000, Microsoft introduced Active Directory (ADS), which is a large
database/information store. Prior to Active Directory the Windows OS could not
store additional information in its domain database. Active Directory also solved the
problem of locating resources; which previously relied on Network Neighborhood,
and was slow. Managing users and groups were among other issues Active Directory
solved.
What is Active Directory?
Active Directory was built as a scalable, extensible directory service that was
designed to meet corporate needs. A repository for storing user information,
accounts, passwords, printers, computers, network information and other data,
Microsoft calls Active Directory a "namespace" where names can be resolved.
ADS Benefits
ADS lets the N4100PRO integrate itself with the existing ADS in an office
environment. This means the N4100PRO is able to recognize your office users and
passwords on the ADS server. Other major benefits ADS support provides include:
1. Easy integration of the N4100PRO into the existing office IT infrastructure
The N4100PRO acts as a member of the ADS. This feature significantly
lowers the overhead of the system administrator. For example, corporate
security policies and user privileges on an ADS server can be enforced
automatically on the N4100PRO.
2. Centralized user/password database
The N4100PRO does not maintain its own copy of the user/password
database. This avoids data inconsistency between the N4100PRO and other
servers. For example, without ADS support, an administrator might need to
remove a specific user privilege on the N4100PRO and each individual server.
With ADS support, the change on an ADS server is known to all of its ADS
members.
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