Active Directory Best Practices

Active Directory Best Practices

Active Directory is a key element to managing the infrastructure and service components of Hosted Messaging and Collaboration solutions. This section provides resources and troubleshooting information that service providers and ISVs can use to optimize Active Directory operations.

Online Resources for Active Directory

The following links point to Active Directory background and troubleshooting information that is available online:

• Active Directory Collection

  Provides an overview of how Active Directory enables centralized management.

• Domain Controllers

  Overview page that provides links to more detailed content about Domain Controllers including best practices.

• Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Active Directory

  Provides general steps for completing common administration tasks completed through Active Directory and the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.

• Active Directory Fundamentals

  On-demand webcast that provides training on such topics as the benefits Active Directory offers and the logical concepts as they relate to Domains, Trees, and Forests. Also covered are the physical concepts of Domain Controllers and Sites, and the relationship between Active Directory and the domain naming service.

• Managing Active Directory from the Command Line

  Lists command-line tools that can be used to manage Active Directory with links to more detailed technical information.

• Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Diagnostics, Troubleshooting, and Recovery

  A Microsoft Windows Media presentation covering such topics as how to verify Active Directory functionality, how to create backups, and how to seize Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles.

• Troubleshooting replicationManagement Services Operations Topics

  Procedure-oriented listing of operations tasks. Many make use of command-line tools.

Online Resources for Troubleshooting Active Directory

For general troubleshooting information for Active Directory, check these TechNet articles for the latest information:

• Active Directory Operations Overview: Troubleshooting Active Directory Installation Wizard Problems
• Active Directory Operations Overview: Troubleshooting Active Directory DNS Problems
• Active Directory Operations Overview: Troubleshooting Active Directory Replication Problems
• Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Active Directory Problems