Introduction to Active Directory

Tags:Active-Directory Related to:crtposcphackingnotesTCM See also: Index: 📋AD-Index-Work-Log

Summary

Gives a brief overview about active directory and related concepts.

What is AD ?

• It is a Directory service for
  • management
  • security
  • interoperability of objects

Directory of objects, everything is an object.

• Stores info on objects on the network

• Some types of objects :

  • Win user
  • Win server
  • Email server

Components of AD

• Schema

  • Defines objects and attributes
  • Attributes are properties of the object

• Query and index mechanism

  • Searching and publication of obj and properties

• Global catalog (GC)

  • Contains info about every object in directory
  • Stored in Domain controller

• Replication Sevice

  • Distributes info across Domain controllers
  • Makes sure GC is synced across DCs

Structure of AD

• At least one forest
• Forest has multiple Domains which has multiple organizational units(OU)
  
• Forest = security boundary - can contain multiple domains - if one domain is compromised the entire forest is
• All domains within a forest trust each other
• Each domain can contain multiple OUs

References

Active Directory - Microsoft