MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-270): Installing ...

14 Overview of Active
Directory Service
Exam Objectives in this Chapter:
■ This chapter does not cover any specific exam objectives. It is intended to introduce
you to Active Directory directory service.
Why This Chapter Matters
A directory service uniquely defines users and resources on a network. Directory
services based on Active Directory technology in Microsoft Windows 2000
Server or Windows Server 2003 provide a single point of network management,
allowing you to add, remove, and relocate users and resources easily. This chapter
introduces you to the Active Directory directory service.
Lessons in this Chapter:
■ Lesson 1: Overview of Active Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-2
■ Lesson 2: Important Active Directory Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-14
Note Active Directory is not a service that you can run on a computer running Windows XP
Professional. Active Directory runs on a computer running Windows 2000 Server or Windows
Server 2003 that is part of a domain. After the Active Directory service is installed on a
server, that server becomes a domain controller. Computers running Windows XP Professional
can become members of the domain.
Before You Begin
To complete this chapter, you must have a computer that meets the minimum hardware
requirements listed in the preface, “About This Book.” You must also have Windows
XP Professional installed on your computer. You do not need access to an Active
Directory domain in order to complete this chapter.
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