SETTING UP
COMPUTER SERVERS
ACTIVE DIRECTORY DOMAIN SERVICES (ADDS)
is Microsoft’s directory service that stores, organizes, and
manages information about objects on a network—like
users, computers, and resources—and makes this
information accessible to administrators and authorized
users
A server that runs ADDS is a domain controller.
ACTIVE DIRECTORY DOMAIN SERVICES (ADDS)
Real-World Example
Imagine a university:
Students and faculty have accounts stored in AD DS.
Logging into campus computers or accessing shared
drives is controlled by AD DS.
IT staff can enforce rules like password complexity or
restrict access to certain labs—all managed centrally.
ACTIVE DIRECTORY DOMAIN SERVICES (ADDS)
The domain controller basically:
Validates and gives access to all users and computers in
a Windows domain type network;
Appoints and creates security protocols for all
computers; and
Installs and adds software.
ACTIVE DIRECTORY DOMAIN SERVICES (ADDS)
These are the features of having the Active
Directory Domain Services:
1. Security - The data is stored securely. Each of
the objects in the Active Directory has an ACL or
Access Control List which consists of the
resources that one may access and along with
access privileges given to each resource.
ACTIVE DIRECTORY DOMAIN SERVICES (ADDS)
These are the features of having the Active
Directory Domain Services:
2. Query Capabilities - The ADDS creates a
global catalog to give a mechanism to handle
queries. A client which has ADDS can query the
catalog to request directory data.
ACTIVE DIRECTORY DOMAIN SERVICES (ADDS)
These are the features of having the Active Directory Domain
Services:
3. Replication - To replicate a directory to all domain
controllers means easy access, high availability, and improved
fault tolerance.
4. Extensibility - Having ADDS is extensible. Meaning that new
object types can be added to a directory. An attribute can be
added, for example to the user object.
ACTIVE DIRECTORY DOMAIN SERVICES (ADDS)
Key Components:
Domain Controllers (DCs): Servers running AD DS that store and
replicate directory data.
Domains: Logical groupings of objects (e.g., all users and
computers in a company).
Trees & Forests: Domains can be organized into trees
(hierarchical structures) and forests (collections of trees).
Objects: Each entity (user, computer, printer) is an object with
attributes like name, password, or IP address.
DYNAMIC HOST CONFIGURATION PROTOCOL (DHCP)
is a network service that automatically assigns IP
addresses and other network settings to devices,
making network management easier and more
efficient
In a Windows Server client-server setup, DHCP is
managed through Server Manager by installing and
configuring the DHCP Server role.
DYNAMIC HOST CONFIGURATION PROTOCOL (DHCP)
WHAT DHCP DOES
Automatic IP Assignment: Every device on a network
needs an IP address to communicate. DHCP assigns
these addresses dynamically from a defined pool
(called a scope).
Centralized Management: Instead of configuring
each device manually, administrators manage IP
settings from a single DHCP server.
WHAT DHCP DOES
Efficient Resource Use: IP addresses are leased for a
set time, then recycled when devices disconnect,
preventing conflicts and conserving address space.
Additional Configuration: DHCP can also provide
default gateway, DNS server, and other network
settings to clients.
WHAT DHCP DOES
Real-World Example
Imagine a company with 500 employees:
Without DHCP: IT staff would manually configure each
computer’s IP, gateway, and DNS.
With DHCP: The Windows Server DHCP role
automatically assigns and manages all IPs, ensuring
smooth connectivity.
REMOTE DESKTOP
is a feature that allows users to connect to and
control a server or virtual desktop remotely, using
the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
It provides secure access to applications, files,
and resources hosted on the server from virtually
anywhere.
REMOTE DESKTOP
Real-World Example
Imagine a company with branch offices:
Employees in remote locations use Remote Desktop to access
the company’s ERP system hosted on the central server.
IT administrators troubleshoot servers from home without
traveling to the data center.
Applications like Microsoft Office are installed once on the
server and delivered to hundreds of users via RemoteApps.