Active Directory For Dummies
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Active Directory is part of a storage structure you design that provides organization of objects — like users, computers, groups, and an assortment of other objects — in your IT environment. Before you can implement Active Directory, you have to do some planning. Be sure to complete the following steps before creating domains and organizational units (OUs):

  1. Using the DNS namespace, identify and name the root domain.

  2. Determine whether a tree or a forest is appropriate for your organization.

  3. Determine whether you need additional domains.

  4. Consult your requirements and environment to decide which domain model is best for your needs and to decide whether you need additional child domains.

  5. Analyze business models and processes to determine which OU model is best for your needs.

  6. Determine who will administer each OU and the administrative rights they'll need.

  7. Delegate the administrative privileges that the OU administrators need.

  8. Diagram the logical Active Directory structure.

About This Article

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About the book authors:

Steve Clines, MCSE, MCT, has worked as an IT architect and engineer at EDS for over 18 years. He has worked on deployments of more than 100,000 seats for both Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange Server. Steve is the author of MCSE Designing a Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure For Dummies, which is a study guide for the 70-219 MCP exam. He also maintains the Confessions of an IT Geek blog at http://itgeek.steveco.net.

Marcia Loughry, MCSE and MCP+I, is a Senior Infrastructure Specialist with a large IT firm in Dallas, Texas. She is president of the Plano, Texas BackOffice User Group (PBUG) and a member of Women in Technology International. Marcia received her MCSE in NT 3.51 in 1997 and completed requirements for the NT 4.0 track in 1998.
Marcia has extensive experience working with Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 in enterprises of all sizes. She is assigned to some of her firm’s largest customers in designing NT solutions and integrating UNIX and NetWare environments with NT.

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