Active Directory Design Decision Process
Published: February 25, 2008
This guide focuses on addressing the critical design decisions faced by most organizations when implementing Active Directory in Windows Server 2008. This guide’s goal is to address the most common scenarios, decisions, activities, options, tasks, and outcomes that most organizations will encountered. It does not attempt to address every possible scenario or permutation of a scenario. Readers who think their situation is unique should consider hiring a design consultant to address their needs. DecisionsThis guide addresses the following decisions and/or activities that need to occur in preparing for Active Directory planning. The following 13 steps represent the most critical design elements in a well-planned Active Directory implementation:
Some of these items represent decisions that must be made. Where this is the case, a corresponding list of common response options will be presented. Other items in this list represent tasks that must be carried out. These types of items are addressed because their presence is significant in order to complete the infrastructure design. Decision FlowIn many cases, the sequence in which the decisions are made or the tasks are accomplished is significant to the design process. The critical path of the design process is the path that orders decisions in series, as one task must be completed before another task starts. The critical path for Active Directory design is illustrated in the flow chart in Figure 2. For the purposes of this document, the steps will be performed in a sequential path, moving from top to bottom of the diagram. Some process flows in this path can be performed either in parallel or sequentially in any order. For example, both A and B must be completed; however, they can be performed at the same time, A can be performed before B, or vice versa. Figure 2. Critical path and process flow for Active Directory design Information CollectionVarious types of information will be needed during the planning process. The following information is required for designing the Active Directory infrastructure.
Applicable ScenariosThis guide addresses considerations that are related to planning and designing the necessary components for a successful Active Directory infrastructure:
Out of ScopeThis document is designed to guide the architect through the process of designing the core implementation for Active Directory. Its scope has therefore been limited so that it does not cover the following areas:
The remainder of this document addresses the decisions and activities previously defined. |
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