Active Directory is a Directory service which provides features to manage users, computers and resources for an organization. It works as centralized database which uses for authentication, authorization to access resources. more than 90% organizations uses Microsoft Active Directory for identity management.
In current age organizations are managing multiple thousands or users and resources because it allows centralized management of resources, computer and users, provides single sign-on. further more it allows to manage computer and users using control policies called group policy management which allows administrators to enforce control and secure the computers and users.
Active Directory have multiple components.
Domain Controller: The server which hosts component Active directory and provide authentication.
Domain: main unit of database which keeps data of users, computers
Organizational Units: Container which keep computer and users in managed manner.
Global Catalog(GC): Data Repository which helps to identify objects in the forest
Schema: Rules and structure of object which controls which attributes can object have.
Active Directory is backbone of the Infrastructure because it makes simpler to identity management, security and improve productivity by providing centralized control of users and resources.
