Intro Creating and Administering Active Directory


	Lesson 1 Introduction
		Creating and Administering Active Directory introduces students to Active Directory. Active Directory is the replacement for the Security Accounts Manager (SAM) directory database found in Windows NT 4.0 and allows Windows 2000 to scale to millions of objects, breaking the 40,000 security object barrier found in Windows NT 4.0. The course begins with an overview of Active Directory in which you will learn new terms and high-level concepts associated with Active Directory Domain Name Service (DNS) trees and forests, as well as the skills needed to develop a domain structure using Active Directory. After exploring some basic Active Directory concepts, you will learn how Active Directory domain controllers function in Windows 2000 and mixed Windows 2000/NT environments, how it is installed on a new domain controller, and how a domain controller can take special roles to allow Windows NT machines to participate in a Windows 2000 domain. You will explore the physical structures of Active Directory to learn how to implement the replication of Active Directory between domain controllers; you will also master the creation and configuration of "sites," which are an important element in the Windows 2000 domain replication process. You will also learn how to add and manage objects in Active Directory. After adding objects to Active Directory, you will be able to assign access controls to those objects. The level of control the administrator has over Active Directory objects has been greatly enhanced in Windows 2000. You can now customize security to fit your precise needs. Course goals After completing the course, you will be able to: Explain the relationship between the Active Directory structure and network organization, DNS, and group policy Define the physical structure of Active Directory Install Active Directory in a network Configure the physical structure of Active Directory Implement the physical structure of Active Directory Populate Active Directory Manage and administer Active Directory objects> The series This course is the first of five courses in the Windows NT 4.0 to Windows 2000 Update Certification Series. QuickChecks QuickChecks are unscored opportunities for you to check your understanding of key points before you arrive at an exercise or quiz that is scored. You will encounter an icon that will display a brief question and then you will click again to see the correct answer in a short animated sequence. Test it right now by clicking on the checkmark below: Problem Solver exercises To prepare you to pass the MCSE exam and to provide you an opportunity to practice what you learn within a context, we have created exercises throughout the series in which you apply your knowledge about Windows 2000 to various scenarios. Solutions to the Problem Solver exercise will be submitted to tutors although you should also consider using the discussion groups as a forum for sharing responses. First-time students: In the next lesson, you will learn about prerequisites to this course.