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Appendix C: 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 TERRA NASBOX 5 G2 integrate itself with the existing ADS in an office
environment. This means the TERRA NASBOX 5 G2 is able to recognize your office
users and passwords on the ADS server. Other major benefits ADS support
provides include:
1. Easy integration of TERRA NASBOX 5 G2 into the existing office IT
infrastructure
The TERRA NASBOX 5 G2 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 TERRA NASBOX 5 G2.
2. Centralized user/password database
The TERRA NASBOX 5 G2 does not maintain its own copy of the
user/password database. This avoids data inconsistency between TERRA
NASBOX 5 G2 and other servers. For example, without ADS support, an
administrator might need to remove a specific user privilege on TERRA
NASBOX 5 G2 and each individual server. With ADS support, the change on
an ADS server is known to all of its ADS members.
