Read: Class 13 Active Directory - itzvenom/reading-notes GitHub Wiki

What is Active Directory?

Active Directory is a service made by Microsoft to centrally manage a domain. It lets network administrators have control over who gets to use shared resources and gives permission to other apps and things like shared files and printers. All the details about users, groups and machines are kept in one central hub which makes management easier. Network Administrators can set policies to keep things locked down and make sure everything runs smooth across all the computers. Active Directory is the go-to choice for businesses big and small, especially if they've got many users and machines. All in all, Active Directory is amazing at keeping your Windows network under control, and is a popular pick for businesses worldwide.

Why is Active Directory important?

Because it makes it so simple to manage everything on a network of connected computers, Active Directory is extremely crucial. It gives the "ok" for other apps to do their thing while allowing the network administrator to control who gets to use what. Using Active Directory ensures that nobody snuck into areas they shouldn't, making it useful for maintaining privacy. Additionally, it facilitates the work of the admins by assisting them in controlling who has access to what across the entire network. By establishing rules across the network, it also aids in preventing bad actors from entering. This guarantees that everyone follows the rules and that nothing negative occurs.

DHCP Overview

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses and other network information to devices connected to a network. By allowing devices to obtain what they need to connect to the network on their own, this makes network administration simple. In a client/server setup, DHCP works like a charm as DHCP server assigns IP addresses to network-connected devices. The DHCP server that connects them is known as the DHCP server, and the devices that request an IP address are referred to as DHCP client. An IP address is requested from the DHCP server whenever a device connects to the network. The DHCP server then responds with an available IP address on the network. The DNS server address, the IP address lease time, and other network information are also available through the DHCP server. The IP address is held exclusively for the device during the lease duration. The device must either request a new IP address from the DHCP server or renew its current one after the lease time has ended. Using DHCP makes network administration simple by automating and simplifying IP address assignment.