Active Directory (AD) is a directory service developed by Microsoft Corporation for managing user accounts, computers, and other resources on a network. It is used in Windows-based networks to provide a centralized authentication and authorization mechanism.

AD stores information about users, groups, computers, and other resources in a hierarchical structure that can be called a domain. Each domain has a unique name and contains objects that represent users, groups, and other resources.

AD provides a single sign-on (SSO) feature that allows users to authenticate once and access multiple resources on the network without having to re-enter their credentials. It also provides a way to manage permissions for resources, so administrators can control access to sensitive data and applications.

AD includes many other features such as group policy, which allows administrators to enforce policies and settings on computers and users, and domain name system (DNS) integration, which provides name resolution services for the network.

Overall, AD is a powerful tool for managing network resources and providing security and access control in a Windows-based environment.

• Centralized management: AD provides a centralized management console that allows administrators to manage all users, groups, computers, and other resources from a specific location.
• Security: AD provides a secure way to authenticate users and control access to resources. It allows administrators to manage permissions for files, folders, and other network resources based on user roles and responsibilities.
• Scalability: AD is designed to scale to meet the needs of growing organizations. It can handle thousands of users and resources and can be expanded to support multiple domains and forests.
• Group policy management: AD includes Group Policy, which allows administrators to enforce policies and settings on computers and users. This helps ensure consistency and security across the network.
• Integration with other Microsoft products: AD integrates with other Microsoft products such as Exchange Server, SharePoint, and Skype for Business, providing a seamless experience for users and administrators.
• Single sign-on: AD provides a single sign-on feature that allows users to authenticate once and access multiple resources on the network without having to re-enter their credentials.

Overall, Active Directory provides a robust and flexible platform for managing network resources, providing security, and ensuring consistency across the organization.

How we can install Active Directory on Windows Server: