Chapter 12. Implementing Microsoft Active Directory

In this Chapter

Taking Advantage of Functional Levels

Improving Domain Controller Installation

Getting the Most Out of Global Catalog Servers

Maximizing Flexible Single Master Operation (FSMO) Roles

Expanding the Enterprise by Interconnecting Forests and Domains

Enhancing Flexibility with Renaming Domains

Managing the Active Directory Schema

Improving Replication with Application Partitions

BEST PRACTICES

Install and Configure the DNS Infrastructure Before the Domain Controller Promotion

Even though many organizations can benefit from features present in Windows Server 2003 as member servers in an existing directory structure, the true defining characteristic of a Windows Server 2003 network is Active Directory. Active Directory is Microsoft's directory service that also provides a platform for the integration of many Microsoft and third-party technologies.

Active Directory is a familiar technology for those administrators who have worked in a Windows 2000 environment. The Windows Server 2003 implementation of Active Directory is an improvement on the Windows 2000 model through added and enhanced features. This chapter focuses on leveraging these enhancements and provides best practices for implementing a Windows Server 2003 Active Directory.