User Account Management

There are 2 ways that we can create user accounts:


a) Accounts that are set up through a stand-alone server that does not have Active Directory installed

b) Accounts that are set up in a domain when Active Directory is installed

Active Directory Basics

Active Directory Directory Service (AD DS)
Houses information about all network resources:

• Servers, printers, user accounts, groups of user accounts, security policies, and other information
• Central listing of network resources

• Quick access to network resources

Domain controllers (DCs)

• Servers that have the AD DS server role installed
• A Domain can have multiple DCs for Fault Tolerance and Load Balancing

Member servers
Do not have AD installed (therefore they are not DCs)

Domain

• Fundamental component or container
• Holds information about all network resources that are grouped within the domain (ie, all user accounts in the domain and all LAN Printers)
• Each DC is equal to every other DC
• Each DC has a full list of all networks resources in the domain

Multimaster Replication

• Object defined in the DC are replicated between DCs
• The volume of information to be replicated can be limited if required. This is a good option for slow links
• Advantage : If one DC goes down, no network interruption

Windows Server 2008 Definitions

Symmetric multiprocessor (SMP)-
Symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) is applications use multiple CPUs to run jobs.

Clustering-
Clustering is ability to increase the access to server resources and provide a fail-safe services by linking two or more discrete computers systems so they appear to function as though they are one.

Hot-add memory-
Ability to add RAM without shutting down

Hot-add processor-
Ability to add processor to an empty processor while the system is running.

Hot-replace processor-
Ability to replace processor in an SMP system without taking the system down.


Fault Tolerant Memory Sync-
The ability of memory to resynchronize after transient memory problems. This prevents interruptions.

Active Directory-
A database of computers, users, groups, shared printers, shared folders, and other network resources.


Client-
Accesses resources on another computer via a network or direct cable connection

Workstation-
Has its own central processing unit (CPU)
Can be used as a stand-alone or network computer

Domain-
Grouping of network objects, such as computers, servers, and user accounts



Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA)-
This is how Windows Server 2008 support for UNIX and Linux clients
Its allows Unix/Linux to run scripts in a Windows Server


Multitasking
Ability to run two or more programs at the same time

Multithreading
Capability of programs written to run several program code blocks at the same time

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) - full cost of owning a network, including hardware, software, training, maintenance and user support cost.