{"id":65302,"date":"2026-01-29T10:41:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T17:41:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/?p=65302"},"modified":"2026-07-03T15:50:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T22:50:20","slug":"what-is-active-directory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/blog-articles\/what-is-active-directory","title":{"rendered":"What is Active Directory? Complete Guide for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>Active Directory sits behind a huge amount of day-to-day work in IT. If you manage users, laptops, file shares, permissions, or Windows policies, you bump into <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows-server\/identity\/ad-ds\/get-started\/virtual-dc\/active-directory-domain-services-overview\">AD<\/a> constantly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This guide walks you through what Active Directory is, how it works, and what the core terms\u00a0actually mean\u00a0in practice.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You\u2019ll\u00a0also see how AD compares with Microsoft Entra\u00a0ID\u00a0and which tools help you manage it.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>TL;DR<\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active Directory (AD) is Microsoft\u2019s on\u2011premises directory service for Windows networks. It gives organizations one central place to manage users, computers, and access &#8211; you create identities once, then control what they can reach through domains, Group Policy, and permissions. Its core component is Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), running on domain controllers. Most organizations now pair AD with Microsoft Entra ID for cloud identity. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-what-is-active-directory\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Active_Directory\"><\/span><strong>What is Active Directory?<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Active Directory (AD) gives an organization one\u00a0central place\u00a0to manage people, computers, and access. Instead of creating accounts separately on every laptop, server, and app, you create identities once, then you control what those identities can do across the network.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you run IT for more than a handful of users, you\u00a0almost always\u00a0want a system that can answer questions like:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Who are you?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>What device do you use?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>What do you have permission to access?<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Which security rules must your device follow?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Active Directory answers these questions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-why-active-directory-exists\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Active_Directory_Exists\"><\/span>Why Active Directory Exists<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern organizations manage hundreds or thousands of users, devices, and apps across multiple locations. Devices come and go, apps change, and security requirements tighten. <\/span>When you manage all of that manually, chaos shows up quickly:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Users forget passwords and lock themselves out.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>People keep access after role changes.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Devices drift from security settings.\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>IT spends days on repetitive account work.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Active Directory solves this by creating a shared system of record for identity and access on Windows networks (and beyond, with the right integrations). You set rules once, then you apply them across thousands of endpoints.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-what-active-directory-actually-manages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Active_Directory_Actually_Manages\"><\/span>What Active Directory Actually Manages<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>AD stores \u201cdirectory data\u201d about things on your network. In AD language, those \u201cthings\u201d become objects.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Common AD objects include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>User accounts (employees, contractors, interns)\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Groups (Sales, IT Admins, Finance Approvers)\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Computers (laptops, desktops, servers)\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Printers\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Shared folders and resources\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Service accounts that apps use\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Policies and configuration settings<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"670\" class=\"wp-image-65308\" src=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Common-Active-Directory-Objects-1024x670.png\" alt=\"Common Active Directory Objects\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Common-Active-Directory-Objects-980x641.png 980w, https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Common-Active-Directory-Objects-480x314.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Each object includes attributes. A user object might include a display name, email address, job title, phone number, manager, department, and group memberships. A computer object might include a hostname, an operating system, and the last sign-in.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"833\" class=\"wp-image-65304\" src=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Active-Directory-Object-Attributes-1024x833.png\" alt=\"Active Directory Object Attributes\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Active-Directory-Object-Attributes-1024x833.png 1024w, https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Active-Directory-Object-Attributes-980x797.png 980w, https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Active-Directory-Object-Attributes-480x390.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Admins use these attributes constantly. You might filter users by department, apply policies to a certain office, or grant access based on team membership.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-common-active-directory-tasks-admins-handle\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Active_Directory_tasks_admins_handle\"><\/span><strong>Common Active Directory tasks admins handle<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Even if you never become the AD person within your organization, you will run into these workflows:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Create users, set attributes, and assign group membership\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Reset passwords and unlock accounts\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Join computers to the domain\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Move objects into the correct\u00a0OUs\u00a0(Organizational Units)\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Apply\u00a0GPOs\u00a0(Group Policy Object)\u00a0for security settings and configuration\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Create file share permissions using groups\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Configure delegation for helpdesk and other teams\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Maintain DC health, patching, and replication<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>PowerShell\u00a0can speed up\u00a0almost all\u00a0of this. When you need to create 300 users, you\u00a0probably do\u00a0not want to click through a\u00a0GUI\u00a0(Graphical User Interface)\u00a0all day. You want scripts that run safely and predictably.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>PowerShell is a task automation and configuration management framework developed by Microsoft that combines a command-line shell with a scripting language. IT admins use it to manage Windows, Microsoft 365, Azure, and other systems through commands and scripts.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-key-active-directory-components-you-should-know\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Active_Directory_Components_You_Should_Know\"><\/span><strong>Key Active Directory Components You Should Know<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-1-active-directory-domain-services\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Active_Directory_Domain_Services\"><\/span><strong>1. Active Directory Domain Services<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Most people mean Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) when they\u00a0say\u00a0\u201cActive Directory.\u201d AD DS runs the core directory: identities, authentication, authorization, and policy.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When your organization runs AD DS, you usually\u00a0operate:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>A domain\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Domain controllers\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>DNS that supports AD\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Group Policy\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-2-domain-controllers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Domain_Controllers\"><\/span><strong>2. Domain Controllers<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A domain controller (DC) runs the directory database and handles sign-ins. When a user logs in to a Windows device\u00a0joined to\u00a0the domain, the device talks to a DC to verify identity and retrieve access info.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Domain Controllers also:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Enforce password policies\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Issue Kerberos tickets for single sign-on\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Store and replicate directory changes\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Help apply Group Policy<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You typically run multiple Domain Controllers so the directory keeps working when a server fails or a site loses connectivity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-3-the-directory-database\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_The_Directory_Database\"><\/span>3. The Directory Database<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>AD stores directory data in a database called\u00a0NTDS.dit\u00a0(New Technology Directory Services). Domain Controllers keep a copy of that database, and sync changes through replication.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You never edit this database directly. You use tools like Active Directory Users and Computers, PowerShell, or\u00a0LDAP-based\u00a0tools to make changes safely.\u00a0LDAP stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-active-domain-hierarchy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Active_Directory_Hierarchy\"><\/span><strong>Active Directory Hierarchy<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>AD uses a hierarchy. People hear these terms and panic a bit, but the terms sound heavier than they feel.\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0review its hierarchy in more detail.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-domain\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Domain\"><\/span>Domain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A domain\u00a0groups\u00a0objects under one administrative boundary. It also provides a shared identity space. When a user signs in with a username like\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:jane@company.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">jane@company.com<\/a>, the domain handles that identity.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A domain also defines:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Password and account policies (with some important nuance)\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Trust relationships with other domains\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Administrative scope for many tasks\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-organizational-units\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Organizational_units\"><\/span><strong>Organizational units<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>An organizational unit (OU)\u00a0groups\u00a0objects to support delegation and policy application. For example, you might create OUs for:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Workstations\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Servers\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Users\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Departments\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Locations<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Admins link Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to OUs. That link lets you apply settings to only the objects inside that OU. You can also delegate control.\u00a0Maybe helpdesk\u00a0can reset passwords in the \u201cUsers\u201d OU but cannot touch servers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-tre-e\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tree\"><\/span><strong>Tree<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A tree\u00a0groups\u00a0one or more domains in a contiguous DNS namespace. For example:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>corp.example.com\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>sales.corp.example.com\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-forest\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Forest\"><\/span><strong>Forest<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A forest sits at the top. It can\u00a0contain\u00a0multiple trees and domains. The forest shares:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>A schema\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>A global catalog\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Trust between domains\u00a0<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Forest-wide configuration<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In practice, the forest acts as the ultimate security boundary. Many security decisions start with, \u201cDo we trust this forest?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_4_Active_Directory_Services_AD_DS_AD_LDS_AD_CS_AD_FS\"><\/span><b>The 4 Active Directory Services (AD DS, AD LDS, AD CS, AD FS)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Service<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>What it does<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>Typical use<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>AD DS (Domain Services)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The core directory: identities, authentication, authorization, Group Policy<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows domain logon, file\/printer access, GPO across many PCs<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>AD LDS (Lightweight Dir. Services)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LDAP directory for apps without full domain features<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">App\u2011level directories that don\u2019t need domain join<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>AD CS (Certificate Services)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Issues and manages certificates \/ PKI<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart cards, device certificates, TLS, secure email<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><b>AD FS (Federation Services)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Federated sign\u2011in \/ SSO between AD and external apps<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Legacy SSO and federation (often being moved to Entra ID)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_new_in_Active_Directory_Windows_Server_2025_%E2%80%93_verified_June_2026\"><\/span><b>What\u2019s new in Active Directory (Windows Server 2025) &#8211; verified June 2026.<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows Server 2025 delivered the first significant Active Directory Domain Services update since Windows Server 2016, introducing a new domain and forest functional level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top changes include an optional 32K database page size (up from the 8K used since Windows 2000), which lets multi\u2011valued attributes hold roughly 3,200 values; delegated Managed Service Accounts (dMSAs), which bind authentication to a specific machine identity to help prevent credential\u2011harvesting attacks like Kerberoasting; stronger Kerberos cryptography (AES SHA\u2011256\/384) and deprecation of RC4; LDAP over TLS 1.3 with LDAP sealing enabled by default after SASL authentication; and Credential Guard enabled by default on eligible hardware, plus Windows LAPS for managing local admin passwords in AD.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Active_Directory_Security_Why_AD_Is_the_1_Identity_Target\"><\/span><b>Active Directory Security: Why AD Is the #1 Identity Target<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active Directory is often the most valuable target in a Windows environment because it controls user identities, authentication, permissions, devices, servers, and access to critical business systems. If attackers gain control of Active Directory, they can often gain control of the entire network.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern cyberattacks increasingly focus on identity rather than infrastructure. Instead of targeting individual devices, threat actors attempt to compromise privileged accounts, exploit misconfigured permissions, steal credentials, and move laterally through Active Directory to reach sensitive systems and data.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several common attack techniques specifically target Active Directory, including password spraying, credential theft, Kerberoasting, Pass-the-Hash attacks, privilege escalation, and abuse of excessive administrator permissions. Hybrid environments that synchronize identities between Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID can further increase risk if identity controls are not properly managed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To reduce risk, organizations should follow Active Directory security best practices:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all privileged accounts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply the principle of least privilege and regularly review permissions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove inactive users, groups, devices, and stale administrator accounts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor authentication activity and privileged account changes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use strong password policies and protect service accounts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Segment administrative access and limit Domain Admin privileges.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regularly audit Active Directory for misconfigurations and security gaps.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As organizations continue adopting cloud services, Active Directory remains a foundational identity platform. Securing it is no longer just an IT task, it&rsquo;s a critical cybersecurity priority. A compromised Active Directory environment can lead to ransomware deployment, data breaches, business disruption, and complete loss of administrative control.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For this reason, Active Directory security should be treated as a core component of every organization&rsquo;s identity and access management strategy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-active-directory-vs-entra-id-what-s-the-difference\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Active_Directory_vs_Entra_ID_Whats_the_Difference\"><\/span><strong>Active Directory vs Entra ID:\u00a0What\u2019s\u00a0the Difference?<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Think of Active Directory as your on-prem identity system for Windows networks. It runs on Windows Server,\u00a0talks\u00a0Kerberos, and powers domain logins, file shares, printers, and Group Policy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When your org relies on classic Windows infrastructure, AD sits right in the middle of it.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) focuses on cloud identity. It signs users into Microsoft 365 and thousands of SaaS apps, supports modern auth (like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect), and pairs naturally with Conditional Access and MFA.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It also handles cloud-first device identity through Entra\u00a0join\u00a0and works closely with Intune for device controls.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A lot of organizations use both. AD handles on-prem domain needs, while <a href=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/blog-articles\/entra-id-sync-software\/\">Entra ID handles cloud apps<\/a> and remote access policies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Then, tools like <a href=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/blog-articles\/microsoft-entra-connect\/\">Microsoft Entra Connect<\/a> or Entra Cloud Sync link identities, so users can use the same set of credentials across both worlds.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Category<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Active Directory (AD DS)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Microsoft Entra ID<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Where it lives\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Your servers, typically Windows Server domain controllers\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Microsoft cloud tenant\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Primary job\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Domain identity for Windows networks and on-prem resources\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Cloud identity for SaaS apps and Microsoft 365\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Sign-in style\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Domain logon, Kerberos-based SSO in the LAN\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Web and app sign-in with modern protocols\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Common auth protocols\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Kerberos, NTLM, LDAP\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, SAML\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Device identity\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Domain join for Windows devices\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Entra join, Entra registered devices\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Policy and access control\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Group Policy, OU-based targeting, ACLs on resources\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Conditional Access, MFA controls, risk-based policies (when enabled)\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Best fit resources\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>File servers, printers, legacy apps, Windows-based internal services\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Microsoft 365, SaaS apps, external access, modern SSO\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Directory structure\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Domains, forests, OUs, GPO links\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Tenants, users, groups, app registrations\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Admin tooling\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>ADUC, GPMC, PowerShell, LDAP tools\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Entra admin center, Graph, PowerShell\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Typical \u201ccan\u2019t live without it\u201d use case\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Windows domain authentication and Group Policy across many PCs\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Secure sign-in to cloud apps with MFA and Conditional Access\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>How orgs connect both\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Entra Connect or Cloud Sync syncs users and groups\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>Entra ID consumes synced identities for cloud access\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-3-top-active-directory-management-tools\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Top_Active_Directory_Management_Tools\"><\/span><strong>3 Top Active Directory Management Tools<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-1-cirasync\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_CiraSync\"><\/span><strong>1. CiraSync<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/\">CiraSync<\/a> is a top <a href=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/blog-articles\/active-directory-management-tools\/\">Active Directory management tool<\/a>. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It handles a gap that shows up in almost every AD or Microsoft 365 environment; employees need the Global Address List on their phones, not buried behind search.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"548\" class=\"wp-image-65316\" src=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cirasync-best-active-directly-management-tools-1024x548.png\" alt=\"cirasync - best active directly management tools\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cirasync-best-active-directly-management-tools-980x524.png 980w, https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cirasync-best-active-directly-management-tools-480x257.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As mentioned earlier, organizations commonly use Active Directory and Entra ID. Admins sync AD data to Entra ID, connect CiraSync to Entra AD, and pick what contact lists or shared calendars to sync.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>CiraSync then pushes updates to iOS and Android devices, keeping names, numbers, and titles up to date automatically. You cut contact tickets and keep directory data consistent across mobile devices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-2-manageengine-admanager-plus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_ManageEngine_ADManager_Plus\"><\/span><strong>2. ManageEngine\u00a0ADManager\u00a0Plus<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.manageengine.com\/products\/ad-manager\/\">ManageEngine\u00a0ADManager\u00a0Plus<\/a> speeds up\u00a0everyday\u00a0Active Directory work when you feel tired of clicking. You provision and deprovision users, manage groups, move objects, reset passwords, and run bulk updates from one console.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"541\" class=\"wp-image-65312\" src=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ManageEngine-ADManager-Plus-AD-tools-1024x541.png\" alt=\"ManageEngine\u00a0ADManager\u00a0Plus - AD tools\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ManageEngine-ADManager-Plus-AD-tools-980x518.png 980w, https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/ManageEngine-ADManager-Plus-AD-tools-480x254.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Then you pull reports to find stale accounts, risky permissions, and cleanup tasks you keep postponing. It supports delegation and\u00a0approval\u00a0workflows, so helpdesk can handle routine changes without full admin power.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>ADManager\u00a0Plus also covers Microsoft 365 tasks and scheduled automations. You can export reports for audits too.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-3-one-identity-active-roles\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_One_Identity_Active_Roles\"><\/span><strong>3. One Identity Active Roles<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oneidentity.com\/products\/active-roles\/\">One Identity Active Roles<\/a> puts guardrails around AD administration, especially when many people touch the directory. You set policies for user and group changes, then you run actions through workflows and\u00a0approvals\u00a0so admins follow the same rules.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" class=\"wp-image-65320\" src=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/One-Identity-Active-Roles-1024x573.png\" alt=\"One Identity Active Roles\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/One-Identity-Active-Roles-1024x573.png 1024w, https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/One-Identity-Active-Roles-980x549.png 980w, https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/One-Identity-Active-Roles-480x269.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Active Roles tracks change history and\u00a0supports\u00a0role-based delegation, which helps you limit who can change privileged objects.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Teams often choose it for hybrid environments that include AD and Entra ID, plus audits that demand clear accountability. It also offers web interfaces for delegated admin work.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-to-sum-up\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"To_Sum_Up\"><\/span><strong>To Sum Up<\/strong>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Active Directory gives you\u00a0structure. It turns identity, access, and device control into something you can manage without endless manual work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once you understand domains, domain controllers, groups, and Group Policy, a lot of \u201crandom\u201d IT issues start looking less random.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Then Entra ID adds the cloud layer for modern sign-ins and SaaS access, and many teams run both side by side. If you treat AD like core infrastructure and keep security tight, you make everything else in your environment easier to run.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Active_Directory_in_simple_terms\"><\/span><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is Active Directory in simple terms?<\/strong><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\">Active Directory (AD) gives you one central system to manage users, computers, and access across a Windows network. You create identities once, then you control what they can reach, like file shares, apps, printers, and internal systems. It saves you from doing the same setup work on every single machine.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769705688815\" class=\"schema-faq-section\">\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_a_domain_controller_do\"><\/span><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><br \/><strong>What does a domain controller do?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\">\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A domain controller runs the directory and handles sign-ins. It verifies usernames and passwords, issues Kerberos tickets for single sign-on, and answers directory lookups. It also helps enforce policies like password rules and account lockout settings.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769705704692\" class=\"schema-faq-section\">\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_difference_between_a_domain_OU_and_forest\"><\/span><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><br \/><strong>What\u2019s\u00a0the difference between a domain, OU, and forest?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\">\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A domain\u00a0groups\u00a0identities and resources under one administrative boundary. An organizational unit (OU) helps you organize objects and apply Group Policy or delegation to a specific slice of the directory. A forest sits at the top and acts as the bigger container that holds one or more domains that share a schema and trust.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"faq-question-1769705719920\" class=\"schema-faq-section\">\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_LDAP_do_in_an_Active_Directory_environment\"><\/span><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><br \/><strong>What does LDAP do in an Active Directory environment?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"schema-faq-section\">\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">LDAP lets apps and admins query directory data. An app might ask AD for a user\u2019s email, department, or group membership through LDAP. Admin tools also use LDAP-style queries when you search, filter, and update objects.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h3 id=\"faq-question-1769705740988\" class=\"schema-faq-section\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Active_Directory_only_for_Windows\"><\/span><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><br \/><strong>Is Active Directory only for Windows?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-section\">AD DS centers on Windows, yes, but it\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0have to stay \u201cWindows-only.\u201d Many non-Windows systems and apps can still use AD for authentication or directory lookups through protocols like LDAP and Kerberos.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0see Linux servers, NAS systems, VPNs, and plenty of enterprise apps integrate with AD. Still, Windows domain join and Group Policy\u00a0remain\u00a0the areas where AD feels most native.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h3 class=\"schema-faq-section\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_four_types_of_Active_Directory\"><\/span><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What are the four types of Active Directory?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p class=\"schema-faq-section\">Most people group Active Directory into four main services:\u00a0<br \/><br \/>1. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) for domains, authentication, users, computers, and Group Policy.\u00a0<br \/>2. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) for LDAP directory needs at the application level without full domain features.\u00a0<br \/>3. Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) for certificates and PKI used\u00a0by things like\u00a0smart cards, device certificates, and TLS.\u00a0<br \/>4. Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) for federated sign-in and single sign-on between AD and external apps or organizations.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Active_Directory_still_used_in_2026\"><\/span><b>Is Active Directory still used in 2026?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. AD DS remains the standard on\u2011prem identity system for Windows networks; most organizations run it alongside Microsoft Entra ID in a hybrid model.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_Active_Directory_and_a_domain_controller\"><\/span><b>What is the difference between Active Directory and a domain controller?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Active Directory is the directory service; a domain controller is the server that runs it, stores the directory database, and handles sign\u2011ins.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_Active_Directory_and_LDAP\"><\/span><b>What is the difference between Active Directory and LDAP?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LDAP is the protocol used to query and update directory data; Active Directory is a directory service that (among other protocols) speaks LDAP.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_changed_in_Active_Directory_with_Windows_Server_2025\"><\/span><b>What changed in Active Directory with Windows Server 2025?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A new functional level, an optional 32K database page size, dMSAs, stronger Kerberos\/LDAP cryptography, and Credential Guard on by default.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_the_minimum_hardware_requirements_for_Active_Directory_setup_in_2026\"><\/span><b>What are the minimum hardware requirements for Active Directory setup in 2026?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Servers must have at least 16 GB of RAM, 100 GB of SSD storage space, and current multi-core processors. Your domain controllers need extra storage room to handle the AD database and associated log files. Make sure you have backup network connections running at 1 Gbps or faster between locations. Keep in mind that larger user bases, more objects, and increased authentication needs will push these requirements higher.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_backup_strategies_should_I_include_in_my_Active_Directory_setup\"><\/span><b>What backup strategies should I include in my Active Directory setup?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every Active Directory setup needs daily system state backups for each domain controller. Set up three separate backup copies: Store one locally, another at a different site, and a third in cloud storage. Pick either Windows Server Backup or specialized tools that let you restore individual AD items. Run recovery tests every three months to confirm that your backup system works correctly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_set_up_an_Active_Directory\"><\/span><b>How do you set up an Active Directory?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Install the AD DS role on Windows Server, then promote the server to a domain controller (Server Manager or Install\u2011ADDSForest in PowerShell), and configure DNS and Group Policy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Active Directory sits behind a huge amount of day-to-day work in IT. If you manage users, laptops, file shares, permissions, or Windows policies, you bump into AD constantly. This guide walks you through what Active Directory is, how it works, and what the core terms\u00a0actually mean\u00a0in practice.\u00a0 You\u2019ll\u00a0also see how AD compares with Microsoft Entra\u00a0ID\u00a0and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":46654,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"page-cirablog2.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_nextfly_llmd_date_locked":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1478],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[13535],"class_list":["post-65302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-articles","rawdate-2026-01-29"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Is Active Directory? 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A clear 2026 guide for IT teams.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/es\/articulos-blog\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CiraSync\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CiraSync\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-29T17:41:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-03T22:50:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/default-image-cirasync_p-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tara Parachuk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@CiraSync\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@CiraSync\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"\u00c9crit par\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tara Parachuk\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Dur\u00e9e de lecture estim\u00e9e\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cirasync.com\\\/es\\\/articulos-blog\\\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cirasync.com\\\/fr\\\/blog-articles\\\/what-is-active-directory\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tara Parachuk\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cirasync.com\\\/fr\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/60f053f1a1195c2ec011352765b3ab77\"},\"headline\":\"What is Active Directory? 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A forest sits at the top and acts as the bigger container that holds one or more domains that share a schema and trust.\u00a0","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/es\/articulos-blog\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot#faq-question-1769705719920","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/es\/articulos-blog\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot#faq-question-1769705719920","name":"What does LDAP do in an Active Directory environment?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<br\/>LDAP lets apps and admins query directory data. An app might ask AD for a user\u2019s email, department, or group membership through LDAP. Admin tools also use LDAP-style queries when you search, filter, and update objects.\u00a0","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/es\/articulos-blog\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot#faq-question-1769705740988","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/es\/articulos-blog\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot#faq-question-1769705740988","name":"Is Active Directory only for Windows?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<br\/>AD DS centers on Windows, yes, but it\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0have to stay \u201cWindows-only.\u201d Many non-Windows systems and apps can still use AD for authentication or directory lookups through protocols like LDAP and Kerberos.\u00a0You\u2019ll\u00a0see Linux servers, NAS systems, VPNs, and plenty of enterprise apps integrate with AD. Still, Windows domain join and Group Policy\u00a0remain\u00a0the areas where AD feels most native.\u00a0","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/es\/articulos-blog\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot#faq-question-1769705757574","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/es\/articulos-blog\/que-es-microsoft-365-copilot#faq-question-1769705757574","name":"What are the four types of Active Directory?\u00a0","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<br\/>Most people group Active Directory into four main services:\u00a0<br\/><br\/>1. Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) for domains, authentication, users, computers, and Group Policy.\u00a0<br\/>2. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) for LDAP directory needs at the application level without full domain features.\u00a0<br\/>3. Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) for certificates and PKI used\u00a0by things like\u00a0smart cards, device certificates, and TLS.\u00a0<br\/>4. Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) for federated sign-in and single sign-on between AD and external apps or organizations.","inLanguage":"fr-FR"},"inLanguage":"fr-FR"}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":13535,"user_id":38,"is_guest":0,"slug":"tapcirasync-com","display_name":"Tara Parachuk","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tara-parachuk.png","url2x":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tara-parachuk.png"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65302"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":72013,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65302\/revisions\/72013"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65302"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cirasync.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=65302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}