Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft’s directory and identity management service for Windows domain networks. It was introduced in Windows 2000, is included with most MS Windows Server operating systems, and is used by a variety of Microsoft solutions like Exchange Server and SharePoint Server, as well as third-party applications and services. Show
AD is made up of a number of different directory services, including:
Fundamental AD features and capabilities include:
The Active Directory schema supports various types of objects like User, Group, Contact, Computer, Shared Folder, Printer, and Organizational Unit, along with a set of descriptive attributes for each object. For example, User Object attributes include information like the user’s name, address, and telephone number. Active Directory makes use of other security and networking protocols including LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), DNS (Domain Name System), and Microsoft’s version of the Kerberos authentication protocol. AD Domain Services OverviewActive Directory Domain Services is the primary Active Directory service. It is used to authenticate users and to control access to network resources. A server running AD DS is called a domain controller. Most Windows domain networks have two or more domain controllers; a primary domain controller and one or more backup domain controllers for resiliency. During login, users authenticate to a domain controller and are granted access to particular resources based on administratively defined policies. AD Data StructuresActive Directory stores information about network users (names, phone numbers, passwords, etc.) and resources (servers, storage volumes, printers, etc.) in a hierarchical structure consisting of domains, trees, and forests.
Objects within a domain can be grouped into organizational units (OUs) to simplify administration and policy management. Administrators can create arbitrary organizational units to mirror functional, geographical, or business structures, and then apply group policies to OUs to simplify administration. OUs also make it easier to delegate control over resources to various administrators. AD BenefitsActive Directory provides a variety of functional and business benefits, including:
Relationship to Azure Active DirectoryAzure Active Directory is Microsoft’s next-generation, cloud-based identity management solution used to control access to SaaS solutions like Microsoft 365 (Office 365), internally developed cloud apps running on Azure, as well as traditional enterprise applications and other on-premises resources. It adds support for just-in-time access controls, multi-factor authentication and passwordless technologies, native mobile-device management, and identity federation standards like SAML and Oauth2, among other capabilities. CyberArk Identity integrates with both Active Directory and Azure AD and enables you to provide Single Sign-On, Multi-Factor Authentication, and Lifecycle Management capabilities for users stored in these directories. Which type of authentication is used in Active Directory?Which Type of Authentication is Used in Active Directory? AD Authentication is a process that typically follows Kerberos protocol, where users have to log in using their credentials to gain access to resources.
What are the three types of authentication?Authentication factors can be classified into three groups: something you know: a password or personal identification number (PIN); something you have: a token, such as bank card; something you are: biometrics, such as fingerprints and voice recognition.
What is authentication and authorization in Active Directory?What is Active Directory Authentication and Authorization? Active Directory is a directory service implemented by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. An Active Directory domain controller authenticates and authorizes users in a Windows-domain network by enforcing security policies for all computers.
What authentication method does Active Directory implement by default?Kerberos authentication must be enabled in Active Directory. It is by default. Ensure each Active Directory domain has a global catalog server. Configure a domain controller in each domain as a global catalog server.
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