Overview
This section covers the fundamental concepts and architecture of Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Understanding these core concepts is essential for effective Active Directory administration, planning, and troubleshooting.
What You'll Learn
- Forest and Domain Architecture: Understand the hierarchical structure of AD DS
- Domain Controllers: Learn about DC roles, placement, and management
- FSMO Roles: Master the five Flexible Single Master Operation roles
- Sites and Subnets: Configure network topology for optimal replication
- Global Catalogs: Understand the role of GC servers in multi-domain environments
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of Windows networking concepts
- Familiarity with DNS concepts and configuration
- General knowledge of Windows Server administration
Learning Path
1. Start Here: Forest and Domain Concepts
Begin with understanding the logical structure of Active Directory.
- Forest structure and boundaries
- Domain hierarchy and trust relationships
- Namespace planning and design
2. Domain Controller Fundamentals
Learn about the servers that host Active Directory services.
- Domain controller roles and responsibilities
- Installation and configuration
- Health monitoring and maintenance
3. FSMO Role Management
Master the single-master operations that ensure consistency.
⚙️ FSMO Roles
- Schema Master and Domain Naming Master
- PDC Emulator, RID Master, and Infrastructure Master
- Role placement and transfer procedures
4. Network Topology Design
Configure sites and subnets for optimal performance.
- Site topology design principles
- Subnet configuration and management
- Replication scheduling and optimization
5. Global Catalog Services
Understand multi-domain search and authentication.
- Global catalog server placement
- Partial attribute set configuration
- Universal group membership caching
Quick Reference
Common Administrative Tasks
| Task | Primary Tool | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| View forest/domain info | Get-ADForest, Get-ADDomain |
Forests and Domains |
| Check DC health | dcdiag, repadmin |
Domain Controllers |
| Manage FSMO roles | netdom query fsmo |
FSMO Roles |
| Configure sites | Active Directory Sites and Services | Sites and Subnets |
| Global catalog status | dsquery server -isgc |
Global Catalogs |
Architecture Quick Facts
- Maximum Forest Functional Level: Windows Server 2019
- Maximum Domain Functional Level: Windows Server 2019
- Recommended DCs per Site: Minimum 2 for redundancy
- Global Catalog Recommendations: At least one per site
- FSMO Role Distribution: Separate infrastructure-critical roles across DCs
Related Sections
- 🔧 Operations: Day-to-day administration and monitoring
- 🛠️ Procedures: Step-by-step administrative procedures
- 🔒 Security: Security policies and best practices
- ⚙️ Configuration: Advanced configuration topics
Additional Resources
- Microsoft Active Directory Documentation
- Active Directory Best Practices
- PowerShell Active Directory Module
This fundamentals section provides the foundation knowledge needed for all other Active Directory administration tasks. Master these concepts before moving to advanced topics.