This page contains a collection of Windows Server 2000, 2003, and 2008 Active Directory related articles, tips & tricks, whitepapers, useful tools and more.
Active Directory provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up your organization's network. Integrated with Windows Server, Active Directory gives you out-of-the-box functionality needed to centrally configure and administer system, user, and application settings.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor Wins 7 Key Awards
Awards for Network Performance Monitor (NPM):
- 2011 Windows IT Pro Editor's Best & Community Choice Awards
- Redmond Magazine 2011 Readers Choice Preferred Product & ISV and Grand Slam Award for the Best Performance Management Product winner 4 years in a row!
- 2011 Network Computing Awards (UK) Network Management Product of the Year
- 2011 WindowsNetworking.com Readers Choice Award WINNER in Network Monitoring Category
Recommended Reading:
- FREE Download: Lync Server Administration Guide & PowerShell SupplementLearn how to do all the things in the Lync Server Administration Guide by using PowerShell. Now available as MS Word document for download.
- System Center Essentials 2010 - Configuring and ManagingMicrosoft System Center Essentials 2010 provides a unified solution with a single console for managing a broad range of tasks across your servers (virtual and physical), clients, hardware, software, and IT services for a unified experience.
- Free Remote Desktop, Terminal & Citrix Session RecorderObserveIT software acts like a "security camera" for your servers; allowing you to watch with full video playback every step taken by remote users, developers or IT admins on your servers–exactly as it happens. ObserveIT records all user activity (RDP, VM Viewer, SSH, Citrix or any other remote access software session). Learn more in this article by Daniel Petri.
- Deploying Windows 7 - Top 10 Things to Do First10 steps that can help you accomplish the goal of preparing for and deploying Windows 7 to your users without too much disruption.
- Working with Active Directory Snapshots in Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 has a new feature allowing administrators to create snapshots of the Active Directory database for offline use. - Adding New Administrative Templates to GPO
One method for an administrator to add such extensions to the GPO is by adding new settings to the Administrative Templates sections. This can be done by adding .ADM files to the existing Administrative Templates section in GPO. - Disable Password Requirements in Windows Server 2003 Domains
In some occasions, such as testing, lab-building, classes and so on, you might want to disable the built-in security policies of that ensure users select strong passwords. This article details how to do exactly that.
Featured Downloads for Active Directory:
- FREE TRIAL of Compass: AD Monitoring & Reporting Tool Developed by Active Directory Architects!!Compass is an innovative systems management tool that combines the key elements for Active Directory monitoring and reporting—delivered in a single, user-friendly dashboard. Developed by Active Directory Architects, Compass installs in minutes and will help you track down any DNS or replication issues.
- FREE Tool: Visualize Active Directory PerformanceSolarwinds' Free WMI Monitor gives you complete visibility into Active Directory performance, tracking changes and modifications to your sensitive AD data. Design your own custom AD monitoring template or download free pre-built templates from the Solarwinds community.
- Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 Service Pack 2 ReleasedIncluding Hybrid Configuration Wizard, Address Book Policies, Outlook Web App Mini and Cross-Site Silent Redirection for Outlook Web App, as well as customer requested fixes and rollups released prior to Service Pack 2.
- Troubled with PST files?Say goodbye to the PST headache with GFI MailArchiver 2011! Eliminate the need to save email in cumbersome PST files on local hard disks – saving up to 80% of storage space! Download your free trial now!
Further Reading:
- Secure Active Directory Objects in Windows Server 2008/R2 ADUC
- Error when Attempting to Remove Windows Server 2008 Server Core from Domain
- Prepare your Domain for the Windows Server 2008 R2 Domain Controller
- Daniel Petri’s MCSE & System Administrator Interview Questions – Part 6 – Windows Server 2008/R2 Active Directory
- Backing Up Group Policy Objects
- Add Missing User Properties Tabs in Active Directory Users and Computers on Windows Vista
- Defragmenting the Active Directory Database
- Web Servers Training Labs
- Active Directory Client (dsclient) for Win98/NT
- Defragmenting an Active Directory Database
- Delete Failed DCs from Active Directory
- Determining FSMO Role Holders
- Disable Password Requirements in Windows Server 2003 Domains
- Editing Additional Attributes of User Objects
- Establishing a Proper Global Catalog Placement Strategy
- Event logs archiving with GPO
- First DC in Domain Problem
- Fix an Unsuccessful DC Demotion
- Forcibly Removing Active Directory from a DC - Retire a Domain Controller
- How do I run Powershell and VBScripts on Windows PCs using AD and Group Policy?
- How to Install Active Directory on Windows 2000
- How to Install Active Directory on Windows 2000 (for Lamers)
- How do I install Active Directory on my Windows Server 2003 server?
- How to Install a Replica DC in an Existing AD Domain on Windows 2000
- How to Install a Replica DC in an Existing AD Domain on Windows Server 2003
- How to Restore Windows Server 2003 Active Directory
- Import Saved Queries in Windows Server 2003 AD Users & Computers
- Install DC from Media in Windows Server 2003
- Joining a Domain in Windows XP Pro
- LDAP Search Samples for Windows Server 2003 and Exchange 2000/2003
- List all Users and Groups in Domain
- Load Balancing on Windows 2000/2003 DC after Upgrading from NT
- Manually Undeleting Objects in Active Directory
- Daniel Petri’s MCSE & System Administrator Job Interview Questions – Part 2 – Windows Server 2003 Active Directory
- Planning FSMO Roles in Active Directory
- Protect Objects in Windows Server 2003 Active Directory from Accidental
Deletion - Raise Domain Function Level in Windows Server 2003 Domains
- Raise Forest Fuction Level in Windows Server 2003 Active Directory
- Recovering Deleted Items in Active Directory
- Require Windows 98 Clients to Logon to the Domain
- Requirements when Joining a Domain
- Saved Queries in Windows Server 2003 AD Users & Computers
- Seizing FSMO Roles
- Specops Releases Gpupdate 2.0 and Remote Admin CTP Products
- Transferring FSMO Roles
- Tracking Change Replications in AD using Repadmin.exe
- Troubleshooting Dcpromo Errors
- Unable to Logon to Windows 2003 Domain Due to Windows Cannot Connect to the Domain Error
- Unattended Installation of Active Directory
- Understanding Active Directory Schema
- Understanding Administrative Templates in GPO
- Understanding FSMO Roles in Active Directory
- Understanding Function Levels in Windows Server 2003 Active Directory
- Upgrade Windows 2000 GPO with XP Features
- View Additional User Information in AD Users and Computers
- What's New in Windows Server 2003 Active Directory?
- Windows 2000 Domain Rename
- Windows 2003 ADPrep
- Windows 2003 ADPrep Fix for Exchange 2000
- Windows 2003 Domain Controller Rename
- Windows 2003 Domain Rename
- How to Install Active Directory on Windows 2000 (for idiots)
- How to Install Active Directory on Windows 2000 (for idiots)
- What Do You Need to Install Active Directory?
- Running the Windows 2000 Server Active Directory Migration Tool
- How can I transfer NT4 domain data using the Active Directory Migration Tool?
- How to Set Up ADMT for a Windows NT 4.0-to-Windows Server 2003 Migration?
- How to use Active Directory Migration Tool v2.0 to migrate from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003?
- Active Directory Offline Defragmentation
- Active Directory Restore Mode Trick
- Active Directory Search Limit
- Active Directory Sizer Tool
- Active Directory SRV Records
- Active Directory Training Labs
- Add Additional Attributes to the User Objects
- Add Unlock User Option to Active Directory Users and Computers
- Add User Account Information to Active Directory Users and Computers
- Adding New Administrative Templates to a GPO
- Administer Windows 2000/2003 Domain from Windows XP
- Anonymous LDAP operations in Windows 2003 AD
- Basic Active Directory Services Interface (ADSI) Scripting
- Change Recovery Console Password
- Changing the Tombstone Lifetime Attribute in Active Directory
- Configure a New Global Catalog
- Configure Time and Date Settings in Windows 2008 Server Core
- Consolidating Multiple Windows Domains
- Control Active Directory Intrasite Replication Interval
- Controlling IE cache size via GPO
- Create Taskpads for Active Directory Operations
- Create Users for Testing Purposes
- Creating a trust relationship between two Small Business Server 2000/2003 domains
- Can I disable the circular logging method in Active Directory?
- Backup Windows Server 2003 Active Directory
- Working with Group Policy
- How do I install and configure a new Windows 2000 DNS server to prepare for a new AD Domain?
- A Word about Working with GPOs and Terminal Servers
Other articles might fit into the Installation and Networking sections, so make sure you look there too.
