Meet Officer Active Directory, The Traffic Cop for Your Network

The purpose of setting up a computer network is to allow multiple users the ability to access the same files and programs. With all the different people accessing the same information on your server, it can make for some pretty gnarly network traffic. Giving people up-to-date permissions with different levels of access is the job of the Active Directory.

Active Directory's job description is to assist with server management and administration. Active Directory is essentially an organizational tool that keeps your server's data and network permissions in order so all of the users on different terminals can access the information they need. A network without Active Directory would be like a system of roads without highway signs or traffic lights--you can imagine how chaotic of a driving experience that would be.

Your Windows Server operating system comes standard with Active Directory. Because Active Directory is like the brains and the gateway of your network, it doesn't need to be activated on every server. The server that uses Active Directory is referred to as your primary domain controller.

When Active Directory is managed well, it's like watching a traffic cop direct traffic with dance moves. Active Directory can make navigating your network a smooth and enjoyable experience. Active Directory works by taking a network logon request from each user and then filters it through the permissions on file. If the user's password is verified, then Active Directory will bust a sweet dance move and allow the user to access the correct street leading to different neighborhoods of server data.

Once in the server, Active Directory will give the individual user all the rights and privileges that have been set by the network administrator. Active Directory allows certain users specific levels of access so that nobody is accessing files that they do not have permissions for. Active Directory is the tool that you would use to give your customers Wi-Fi on their mobile devices, while ensuring that they will not be able to view company files.

Active Directory makes managing permissions easy by allowing network administrators to organize users into groups with different permission levels. You can put customers into their own group, as well as all the different departments in your company. This is a great way to make it so only managers have access to sensitive files, while lower-level employees will only be able to view files relevant to their job.

Active Directory is a great tool to organize your network. If you would like help making your network more efficient with Active Directory, and would like to know more about other helpful networking tools, then give Computerware a call at (703) 821-8200