Active Directory For Dummies

Whether you’re new to Active Directory (AD) or a savvy system administrator looking to brush up on your skills, Active Directory for Dummies, 2^nd Edition will steer you in the right direction! Since its original release, Microsoft’s implementation of the lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) for the Windows Server line of networking software has become one of the most popular directory service products in the world. If you are involved with the design and support of Microsoft directory services and/or solutions, you really need this book!

You’ll understand the basics of AD and utilize its structures to simplify your life and secure your digital environment. You’ll discover how to exert fine-grained control over groups, assets, security, permissions, and policies on a Windows network and efficiently configure, manage, and update the network. You’ll find new and updated material on security improvements, significant user interface changes, and updates to the AD scripting engine, password policies, accidental object deletion protection, and more. You will learn how to:

• Navigate the functions and structures of AD
• Understand business and technical requirements and determine goals
• Become familiar with physical components like site links, network services, and site topology
• Manage and monitor new features, AD replication, and schema management
• Maintain AD databases
• Avoid common AD mistakes that can undermine network security

Complete with lists of the ten most important points about AD, and ten cool Web resources, and ten troubleshooting tips, Active Directory For Dummies, 2^nd Edition is your one-stop guide to setting up, working with, and making the most of Active Directory.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Active Directory, a fundamental component of Windows 2000, is revolutionizing the way people design and manage networks. Whether you are a savvy system administrator or are new to networking and information technology, Active Directory For Dummies helps you understand this wonderful new operating system technology.

This unpretentious resource presents the fundamentals of Active Directory and then moves right into planning, implementing, and managing it. Active Directory For Dummies offers a clear explanation of the program and a cataloging of its benefits and buzzwords. Explore the following topics in easy-to-understand language:

• Prepare your environment for a shift to Active Directory.
• Consider logical structure issues like planning the DNS namespace, designing the tree, and defining an organizational unit (OU) model.
• Build a model of an Active Directory domain and create your first objects.
• Migrate from an existing environment to an Active Directory environment.
• Manage security, users, resources, and replication traffic within the Active Directory tree.
• Understand how the Active Directory Services Interface works with other Microsoft technology.

Steve Clines, MCSE, MCT, has worked as an IT architect and engineer at EDS for over 18 years. He has worked on deployments of more than 100,000 seats for both Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange Server. Steve is the author of MCSE Designing a Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure For Dummies, which is a study guide for the 70-219 MCP exam. He also maintains the Confessions of an IT Geek blog at http://itgeek.steveco.net.

Marcia Loughry, MCSE and MCP+I, is a Senior Infrastructure Specialist with a large IT firm in Dallas, Texas. She is president of the Plano, Texas BackOffice User Group (PBUG) and a member of Women in Technology International. Marcia received her MCSE in NT 3.51 in 1997 and completed requirements for the NT 4.0 track in 1998.

Marcia has extensive experience working with Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 in enterprises of all sizes. She is assigned to some of her firm’s largest customers in designing NT solutions and integrating UNIX and NetWare environments with NT.