Книга: Active Directory: Microsoft, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, Directory service, Kerberos (protocol), Authentication, Domain Name System, Server farm, Windows Server 2003

Active Directory is a technology created by Microsoft that provides a variety of network services, including: LDAP-like directory services, Kerberos-based authentication, DNS-based naming and other network information, Central location for network administration and delegation of authority, Information security and single sign-on for user access to networked based resources, The ability to scale up or down easily, Central storage location for application data, Synchronization of directory updates amongst several servers. Using the same database, for use primarily in Windows environments, Active Directory also allows administrators to assign policies, deploy software, and apply critical updates to an organization. Active Directory stores information and settings in a central database. Active Directory networks can vary from a small installation with a few computers, users and printers to tens of thousands of users, many different domains and large server farms spanning many geographical locations. Active Directory was previewed in 1999, released first with Windows 2000 Server edition, and revised to extend functionality and improve administration in Windows Server 2003.