For a comprehensive list of hardware and software supported by the Windows Server operating system, see the Windows Server Catalog at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/server/.
The Active Directory service is an essential and inseparable part of the Windows Server network architecture that provides a directory service designed for distributed networking environments.
Because of this central role – and the complexities involved in selecting a Domain Functional Model – and updating that model at the right point in the migration process from Windows 2000 Server to newer versions of Windows Server, this paper will consider Active Directory at some length.
Active Directory provides a single point of management for Windows-based user accounts, clients, servers, and applications. It also helps organizations integrate systems not using Windows with Windows-based applications and Windows-compatible devices, thus consolidating directories and easing management of the entire network operating system. Companies can also use Active Directory to extend systems securely to the Internet. Active Directory thus increases the value of an organization's existing network investments and lowers the overall costs of computing by making the Windows network operating system more manageable, secure, and interoperable.
Active Directory plays such an important role in managing the network, that as you prepare to move to a newer version of Windows Server, it is helpful to review the new features of the Active Directory service.
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