Comparing ADAM to Active Directory
Applies To: Windows Server 2003 R2
The following table illustrates the functional differences and similarities between Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) and Active Directory.
| Feature | ADAM | Active Directory |
|---|---|---|
Supports multiple schemas per server |
Yes |
No |
Supports multiple directory instances per server |
Yes |
No |
Runs on Windows XP Professional |
Yes |
No |
Runs on member servers |
Yes |
No |
Supports X.500 naming for top-level directory partitions |
Yes |
No |
Supports installing, starting, and stopping without a reboot |
Yes |
No |
Group Policy |
No |
Yes |
Global catalog |
No |
Yes |
IntelliMirror desktop management |
No |
Yes |
Automated software distribution |
No |
Yes |
Domain trusts and forest trusts |
No |
Yes |
Public key infrastructure (PKI)/X.509 |
No |
Yes |
Supports DNS service (SRV) resource records |
No |
Yes |
Supports Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) application programming interface (API) |
Yes |
Yes |
Supports Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI) API |
Yes |
Yes |
Supports Messaging API (MAPI) |
No |
Yes |
Delegated administration |
Yes |
Yes |
Multimaster replication |
Yes |
Yes |
InetOrgPerson |
Yes |
Yes |
LDAP over Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) |
Yes |
Yes |
Attribute-level security |
Yes |
Yes |
LDAP access control list (ACL) support |
Yes |
Yes |
Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003 compatibility |
Yes |
Yes |
Extensible schema |
Yes |
Yes |
Supports application directory partitions |
Yes |
Yes |
Supports installation of a replica from media |
Yes |
Yes |
Supports 64-bit servers |
Yes |
Yes |
Supports concurrent LDAP binding |
Yes |
Yes |