Table of Contents

Overview

This section provides detailed, step-by-step procedures for common Active Directory administration tasks. Each procedure includes prerequisites, detailed steps, validation methods, and troubleshooting guidance.

What You'll Learn

  • Schema Extensions: Safely extend the Active Directory schema
  • Linux Authentication: Configure Linux systems to authenticate against AD
  • Secure Channel Management: Reset and manage computer account secure channels
  • Account Management: User and service account lifecycle procedures
  • Database Maintenance: Active Directory database optimization procedures

Prerequisites

  • Administrative access to domain controllers
  • Understanding of Active Directory concepts
  • PowerShell execution permissions
  • Proper change management approval for schema changes

Procedure Categories

Schema and Directory Extensions

📋 Schema Extension Guide

Refer to our operations guide for schema-related procedures:

  • Schema preparation and planning
  • Backup procedures before schema changes
  • Schema extension implementation
  • Validation and testing procedures
  • Rollback procedures if needed

Authentication Integration

🐧 Linux Authentication Setup:

Complete procedures for integrating Linux systems with Active Directory:

  • Prerequisites and planning
  • Package installation and configuration
  • Domain joining procedures
  • User authentication configuration
  • Troubleshooting authentication issues

System Maintenance

🔧 Secure Channel Reset Procedures

Procedures for managing computer account secure channel relationships:

  • Identifying secure channel issues
  • Manual secure channel reset procedures
  • Automated reset scripts
  • Prevention and monitoring
  • Mass secure channel maintenance

Account Management

👤 Account Management Procedures:

Comprehensive account lifecycle management procedures:

  • User account creation workflows
  • Service account management
  • Account deprovisioning procedures
  • Bulk account operations
  • Account security auditing

See Delegation Procedures for related access management

Database Operations

💾 Database Maintenance Procedures:

Active Directory database optimization and maintenance:

  • Database integrity checks
  • Offline defragmentation procedures
  • Database size optimization
  • Performance tuning procedures

See Monitoring and Alerting for database health monitoring

  • Database recovery procedures

Procedure Templates

Standard Procedure Format

Each procedure follows a consistent format for clarity and usability:

  1. Purpose and Scope
  2. Prerequisites and Requirements
  3. Risk Assessment and Mitigation
  4. Step-by-Step Instructions
  5. Validation and Testing
  6. Troubleshooting Common Issues
  7. Rollback Procedures
  8. Documentation Requirements

Example Procedure Structure

## Procedure: [Task Name]

### Purpose
Brief description of what this procedure accomplishes.

### Prerequisites
- Required permissions
- Tools needed
- Environmental requirements

### Risk Assessment
- Impact level: High/Medium/Low
- Risk mitigation steps
- Rollback requirements

### Procedure Steps
1. Step 1 with detailed instructions
2. Step 2 with expected outcomes
3. Step 3 with validation checks

### Validation
- How to verify success
- Expected results
- Performance impact assessment

### Troubleshooting
- Common issues and resolutions
- Warning signs to watch for
- When to escalate

### Rollback
- Steps to undo changes if needed
- Recovery procedures
- Data restoration methods

Common Procedures Quick Reference

Daily Administration

Task Documentation Estimated Time Risk Level
Reset user password Account Management 5 minutes Low
Unlock user account Account Management 2 minutes Low
Create new user account Account Management 15 minutes Low
Reset computer secure channel Secure Channel Reset 10 minutes Medium

Weekly/Monthly Maintenance

Task Documentation Estimated Time Risk Level
Database integrity check Database Maintenance 30 minutes Medium
Schema health verification Schema Extension 15 minutes Low
Authentication testing Linux Authentication 20 minutes Low
Service account audit Account Management 45 minutes Medium

Project/Change Procedures

Task Documentation Estimated Time Risk Level
Schema extension Schema Extension 2-4 hours High
Linux domain join Linux Authentication 1-2 hours Medium
Database defragmentation Database Maintenance 4-8 hours High
Mass account creation Account Management 1-3 hours Medium

Automation and Scripting

PowerShell Automation

Many procedures can be automated using PowerShell scripts:

# Example: Automated user account creation
$UserParams = @{
    Name = "John Doe"
    SamAccountName = "jdoe"
    UserPrincipalName = "jdoe@contoso.com"
    Path = "OU=Users,DC=contoso,DC=com"
    AccountPassword = (ConvertTo-SecureString "TempPass123!" -AsPlainText -Force)
    Enabled = $true
}
New-ADUser @UserParams

Script Templates

Standardized script templates for common procedures:

  • User provisioning scripts
  • Bulk operations scripts
  • Health check automation
  • Maintenance task scripts
  • Reporting and auditing scripts

Change Management Integration

Change Control Process

All procedures should follow organizational change management:

  1. Change Request Submission
  2. Impact Assessment and Approval
  3. Implementation Planning
  4. Testing in Non-Production
  5. Production Implementation
  6. Post-Implementation Validation
  7. Documentation Updates

Emergency Procedures

Special procedures for emergency situations:

  • Expedited change approval process
  • Emergency contact procedures
  • Critical system recovery procedures
  • Communication protocols
  • Post-incident review requirements

Quality Assurance

Procedure Testing

  • Regular testing of all procedures in lab environments
  • Validation of automation scripts
  • Performance impact assessment
  • User acceptance testing for new procedures

Documentation Maintenance

  • Regular review and update cycles
  • Version control for all procedures
  • Feedback incorporation from users
  • Alignment with organizational changes
  • 🔧 Operations: Ongoing maintenance and monitoring procedures
  • 📖 Fundamentals: Core concepts needed for procedures
  • ⚙️ Configuration: Initial setup and configuration procedures
  • 📚 Reference: Quick reference materials for procedures

Support and Escalation

Internal Support

  • Help desk procedures and contacts
  • Level 2 technical support escalation
  • Subject matter expert contacts
  • Emergency response procedures

Vendor Support

  • Microsoft support case procedures
  • Third-party vendor contacts
  • Service level agreements
  • Escalation procedures

Well-documented procedures ensure consistent, reliable, and safe administration of Active Directory environments. Always test procedures in non-production environments first.

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