Mastering Active Directory

Centralized data repository

Active Directory stores the identity information of users, applications, and resources in a multi-master database. This database is a file called ntds.dit. This database is based on Joint Engine Technology (JET) database engine. The data in this database can be modified using any alternative domain controller. The Active Directory database can store some 2 billion objects. Users can use the identity data stored in Active Directory from anywhere in the network in order to access resources. Administrators can manage authentication and authorization of the organizational identities from a centralized location. Without directory services, identities would be duplicated across different systems and add administrative ...