Appendix D: Active Directory Basics; Overview; What Is Active Directory; Ads Benefits - Thecus 1U4500R User Manual

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 1U4500 integrate itself with the existing ADS in an office
environment. This means the 1U4500 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 1U4500 into the existing office IT infrastructure
The 1U4500 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 1U4500.
2. Centralized user/password database
The 1U4500 does not maintain its own copy of the user/password
database. This avoids data inconsistency between the 1U4500 and other
servers. For example, without ADS support, an administrator might need
to remove a specific user privilege on the 1U4500 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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