Azure Active Directory Domain Services (AADDS) is a cloud-based service that provides domain services such as domain join, group policy, LDAP, and Kerberos/NTLM authentication. AADDS allows organizations to migrate their on-premises domain controllers to the cloud and enables users to log in to the domain and access domain resources from anywhere.
Some of the key features and functions of AADDS include:
- Domain join: AADDS allows Azure VMs and devices to be joined to a managed domain. This enables users to log in using their domain credentials and access domain resources.
- Group policy: AADDS supports group policy, which allows administrators to configure settings such as password policies, network settings, and security settings.
- LDAP and Kerberos/NTLM authentication: AADDS supports Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Kerberos/NTLM authentication, which allows users to authenticate using their domain credentials.
- Domain Name System (DNS): AADDS provides a managed DNS service that enables domain name resolution for the domain.
Installation and configuration of AADDS involves the following steps:
- Create an Azure AD tenant and subscription.
- Enable AADDS in the Azure portal and configure the network settings, such as the virtual network and subnet.
- Provision the domain and configure the domain settings, such as the domain name, DNS, and domain join settings.
- Configure the domain controllers and join them to the domain.
- Test the domain services to ensure that they are working properly.
Some usage examples of AADDS include:
- Azure VMs and applications that require domain services can use AADDS instead of setting up their own domain controllers.
- Organizations that want to migrate their on-premises domain controllers to the cloud can use AADDS as a replacement.
- Users can log in to the domain and access domain resources from anywhere, which can improve productivity and enable remote work.
AADDS provides a powerful set of domain services that can simplify IT management and enable users to access domain resources from anywhere. It is recommended that organizations work with experienced IT professionals to ensure that AADDS is properly installed, configured, and managed to meet their specific needs.
