Understanding Windows Active Directory

This assignment delves into the intricacies of Active Directory, a crucial directory service in Windows domain networks. It outlines the core services and processes within Active Directory, explaining how it facilitates data organization and resource management. The assignment emphasizes the advantages of using Active Directory, such as streamlined administration, enhanced security, and centralized user authentication. Key concepts like Domain Controllers, Organizational Units (OUs), and their roles are also discussed in detail.

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION
AND MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................2
2. Screenshots..................................................................................................................................2
3. Network diagram........................................................................................................................12
4. Domain name Controller.............................................................................................................12
5. DHCP..........................................................................................................................................14
6. IIS...............................................................................................................................................14
7. File server...................................................................................................................................15
8. AD..............................................................................................................................................16
9. Conclusion..................................................................................................................................17
References.........................................................................................................................................17
1

1. Introduction
ABC is an IT company. It is placed at Melbourne. It has three departments (Finance, HR and Sales)
The Company is decided to build the intranet. The intranet will be designed according to the company
requirement. Intranet is a network. It is used in enterprise. The operation of Intranet is providing
computing resources and company information to the company employees.
2. Screenshots
Intranet is designed according to the company requirement. The file server is used to replicate the
information from one site to other site. Windows server is used for backup the information. The AD is
used for the centralized authentication. The DNS and DHCP server is used for further process.
2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

3. Network diagram
Source file is attached
4. Domain name Controller
DC means Domain name Controller. Three types of domain controller are there, Primary domain
name controller, Back domain controller and ADS domain controller [1]. The benefits of Domain name
controller in small businesses are
12

1. Roaming profiles,
2. group policy,
3. Volume Shadow copy,
4. cloud based
5. Password polices.
6. Reliable IP address configuration
7. Reduced network administration
Roaming files
In the domain, the user could login into any machine. This process is done by standard active
directory credentials.
Group policy
It is used to manage all the setting of work station. It prevents the end user to install the
software from them.
Cloud based
Take all the benefits from the Active Directory for small company[2]. It is done by cloud
computing without the need of physical server.
Volume Shadow copy
Restore the previous version files and folders from the workstation.
Password policy
With the help of Active Directory account, a central password policy is confirmed. It permits the
business to manage the frequent changes and password problem.
Installation OF DC:
1) Install ADDs.
2) Select ADD roles and features.
3) Click server roles and click next.
4) Choose confirmation.
13

5) Now access the domain controller.
6) Now the deployment confirmation window will be appeared.
7) Give the correct domain name and password.
8) Provide the correct path.
9) Dc will be updated with IP addresses.
10) Dc is installed successfully.
5. DHCP
DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is one type of protocol. It gives IP (Internet
Protocol) for IP address[3]. And also it gives default gateway and subnet mask. The operation of DHCP is
to assign the IP address for DHCP[4].
Installation of DHCP
1) Select server manager.
2) Select Add roles and features.
3) Click DHCP Server.
4) Check the IP addresses.
5) Check the domain name.
6) Type IP address in DNS server.
7) Check specified IP addresses.
8) Clicks disable DHCP.
9) Select confirmation for installation.
10) Check the installation is completed successfully.
6. IIS
IIS is a web server. It provides their information to the users on extranet, intranet and Internet[5].
The features of IIS
1. Application hosting Enhancements
2. Managed service accounts
3. service hardening
14

4. Management enhancements
5. Configuration logging and tracing
6. IIS module for windows PowerShell
7. Best practices analyzer.
8. Integrated extensions
9. Administration Pack modules
10. Request filtering
11. WebDAV and FTP(File Transfer Protocol)
By using Web server one can do the below process
1. Give the data to the users who are on the internet.
2. Web service hosting.
3. Share the information to the user without the need of CDs or floppy disks.
Installation of IIS
1) Select the ADD roles and features.
2) Select web server.
3) .NET framework 3.5 features.
4) Select confirmation to install.
5) Click IIS on Server manager.
6) Type site name and click ok.
7. File server
File server provides the place for storing information (images, movies, photographs documents etc.)[6].
Two types of file servers are there
1. Dedicated file server
2. Non Dedicated file server.
Benefits of using file server.
1. Centralized Management of permissions.
2. Recover the data quick and easy.
15

3. Backup and data security.
4. Increase the control of User.
5. Monitor the employees.
6. Remote access.
File server process steps
1) Open ADDS.
2) Click file and storage device.
3) Choose the shares option.
4) From select profile choose SMB Share-Quick.
5) Now share name and path specification is displayed.
6) Select permissions to control the access.
7) Enter the type in the Type box.
8) Select the corresponding principle.
9) New share window is opened.
10) The share folder is displayed.
11) Open the Active Directory.
8. AD
Ad stands for Active Directory. It is one type directory service. It is introduced for Windows domain
networks. It is a group of services and processes in windows server operating system. It gives the
interface for maintain and organizing data. The organized data is related to resources. This is connected
to different of network directories[7]. These directories are application specific and system based.
Benefits of AD:
1. Easy startup
2. Instant money.
3. No selling skills required.
4. Monetize a wider audience.
Reasons for using AD
1. Reduce frequency waste
16

2. leverage efficiencies
3. Scale your custom solutions
4. optimize to branch metrics
5. Reduce complement
OU
OU stands for Organizational Unit. It act as a container in Microsoft active directory domain[8]. It is used
for holding the computers, groups and users.
9. Conclusion
The intranet is designed according to the company requirement. The centralized User authentication is
done in intranet. The IP addresses for all the computers are acquired from the DHCP server.
References
[1]"In Active Directory, what is an organizational unit?", Kb.iu.edu, 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://kb.iu.edu/d/atvu. [Accessed: 25- Sep- 2017].
[2]"What are the benefits of a Windows domain?", The Cubit Blog, 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://www.cubittech.com/blog/2015/03/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-windows-domain/.
[Accessed: 25- Sep- 2017].
[3]"What is Domain Controller? Webopedia Definition", Webopedia.com, 2017. [Online]. Available:
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/domain_controller.html. [Accessed: 25- Sep- 2017].
[4]C. Liu, DNS & Bind Cookbook. Sebastopol: O'Reilly Media, Inc., 2011.
[5]"What is intranet? - Definition from WhatIs.com", SearchWinDevelopment, 2017. [Online]. Available:
http://searchwindevelopment.techtarget.com/definition/intranet. [Accessed: 25- Sep- 2017].
[6]"What Is DHCP?", Technet.microsoft.com, 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd145320(v=ws.10).aspx. [Accessed: 25- Sep- 2017].
[7]D. Poulton and D. Camardella, "Foundation Topics | Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012
R2 | Pearson IT Certification", Pearsonitcertification.com, 2017. [Online]. Available:
17

http://www.pearsonitcertification.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2248808&seqNum=2. [Accessed:
25- Sep- 2017].
[8]"Web Server (IIS) Role Overview", Technet.microsoft.com, 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770634(v=ws.11).aspx. [Accessed: 25- Sep- 2017].
18