Microsoft Active Directory Domain Controllers (DCs) are servers that manage the authentication and authorization of users and computers within a domain. DCs are responsible for maintaining a copy of the Active Directory database, which contains information about all the objects within the domain, including user accounts, computer accounts, and group policies. In this section, we will explore the working infrastructure of Microsoft Active Directory Domain Controllers and provide working examples.
- Authentication and Authorization:
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or computer attempting to access a resource within the domain. Authorization is the process of granting or denying access to the resource based on the user’s or computer’s identity and the permissions associated with that identity.
Example: A user attempts to log in to a computer that is a member of the domain. The computer sends a request to the DC to authenticate the user’s credentials. The DC verifies the user’s identity by comparing the credentials with the information stored in the Active Directory database. If the credentials are valid, the DC grants the user access to the computer and any resources associated with that computer.
- Replication:
Replication is the process of copying changes to the Active Directory database from one DC to another. This ensures that all DCs in the domain have an up-to-date copy of the database.
Example: A user account is created on one DC in the domain. The DC then replicates the changes to all other DCs in the domain. This ensures that all DCs have an up-to-date copy of the user account information.
- Site and Services:
Site and Services is a component of Active Directory that allows administrators to manage and control the replication of data between DCs based on physical location.
Example: Contoso Inc. has multiple offices located in different cities. Each office has its own DC. The Site and Services component is used to control the replication of data between the DCs based on the physical location of the offices. This ensures that changes made to the Active Directory database are replicated in a timely and efficient manner.
- DNS:
Domain Name System (DNS) is a protocol used to translate domain names into IP addresses. DNS is used by Active Directory to locate DCs and other resources within the domain.
Example: A user attempts to access a resource within the domain. The computer sends a request to DNS to resolve the domain name of the resource to an IP address. DNS returns the IP address of the DC that manages authentication and authorization for the resource.
In conclusion, Microsoft Active Directory Domain Controllers are servers that manage the authentication and authorization of users and computers within a domain. Domain Controllers are responsible for maintaining an up-to-date copy of the Active Directory database and ensuring that changes are replicated in a timely and efficient manner. Site and Services, DNS, and Authentication and Authorization are some of the key components of Active Directory Domain Controllers.
