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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Active Directory and Domain?

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Active Directory (AD) and Domain are related but distinct concepts in network administration. The main differences between them are:

  1. Function: Active Directory is a proprietary directory service provided by Microsoft that enables IT teams to manage identity and secure access to various resources across an enterprise network. On the other hand, a domain is a network of computers and users that work simultaneously on the same network, with a domain controller being responsible for managing the domain.
  2. Components: Active Directory can be thought of as a database that stores and organizes enterprise resources as objects, such as users and device configurations. A domain controller, in contrast, is a server that runs Active Directory and authenticates users and devices.
  3. Relationship: Active Directory handles identity and security access, while domain controllers authenticate users and devices within the domain. In other words, Active Directory Domain Services run on domain controllers.

In summary, Active Directory is a directory service that manages identity and access, while a domain controller is a server that authenticates users and devices within a domain. Both concepts are related to network administration, but they serve different functions and have different components.

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  • What is the Difference Between Active Directory and Domain?
  • Comparative Table: Active Directory vs Domain

    • Comparative Table: Active Directory vs Domain

    While Active Directory and Domains are related concepts in network management, they serve different purposes and have distinct features. Here is a comparison between the two:

    Feature Active Directory Domain
    Purpose Manages users, devices, domains, and objects within a network. Partitions data in an Active Directory forest, allowing organizations to replicate data only where needed.
    Authentication and Authorization Authenticates and authorizes all users and computers in a Windows domain network. Supports network-wide user identity, allowing user identities to be created once and referenced on any computer joined to the forest.
    Deployment Can be deployed in different ways, such as on-premises (Local AD) or in the cloud (Azure Active Directory). Can be partitioned into multiple domains, with each domain serving a specific purpose or administrative requirement.
    Administration Managed by administrators who have domain or enterprise administrator privileges. Domains can be organized into organizational units (OUs) for easier administration and delegation of authority.
    Security Provides security by validating users and assigning and enforcing security policies. Domain Controllers (DCs) store the directory for their own domain, which includes users, devices, assets, applications, and security groups.

    In summary, Active Directory is a directory service that manages users, devices, domains, and objects within a network, while a domain is a partition in an Active Directory forest that allows organizations to replicate data where needed and supports network-wide user identity.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.