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What is Active Directory?

Active Directory (AD) is a technology created by Microsoft to provide network services including LDAP directory services, Kerberos based authentication, DNS naming, secure access to resources, and more. Active Directory uses a single Jet database which a variety of services and applications can use to access and store a variety of information. Active Directory is used by system administrators to store information about users, assign security policies, and deploy software. AD is used in many different types and size of environments from the very small (a dozen users) to hundreds of thousands of users in a global environment.

In this tutorial, you will learn the basic structure of Active Directory, gain an understanding of how Active Directory works, learn how to install Active Directory, and learn the components of AD.

This tutorial is divided into these sections:

What is Active Directory: An overview of Active Directory and its use in technology environments.

Active Directory Structure: Learn the basics of AD, its components (such as domains, domain controllers, trust relationships, forests, organizational units, etc), hierarchies within AD, and DNS.

How to Install Active Directory: Active Directory installation is not complex in its process, but can be difficult in the future if you do not plan the installation correctly. Learn the tricks and tips you need to know to properly plan an AD installation and why administrators install AD the way they do.

This free Active Directory tutorial is not a comprehensive one on the topic, but an introduction to Active Directory and its structure and use.

Who is This Tutorial For?

This tutorial is focused at junior system administrators and PC technicians, though it can be used by anyone seeking to increase their knowledge about Active Directory and how it works. This tutorial will teach you the building blocks of Active Directory and how to install Active Directory. If you are pursuing an IT career, this tutorial is a good step toward system administration and architecture.