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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 N5200PRO integrate itself with the existing ADS in an office
environment. This means the N5200PRO 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 N5200PRO into the existing office IT infrastructure
The N5200PRO 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 N5200PRO.
2. Centralized user/password database
The N5200PRO does not maintain its own copy of the user/password
database. This avoids data inconsistency between the N5200PRO and
other servers. For example, without ADS support, an administrator might
need to remove a specific user privilege on the N5200PRO 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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