Active Directory information for IT pros

These links take you to additional information about common Active Directory tasks on the Microsoft Web site:

• Administering the Windows Time Service

• Administering Domain Controllers

This section describes the Microsoft Web site downloads and tools associated with this version of Windows that help you configure and manage AD DS:

• Active Directory Domain Services Command Reference

  You can run these tools on a server running Windows Server® 2008 or Windows Server® 2008 R2 that has the AD DS server role installed. You can also run them from a workstation that runs Windows Vista or this version of Windows with Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) installed:

• Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows Vista (KB941314)

• Microsoft Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB941314)

For AD DS .doc downloads, go to the following resources on the Microsoft Web site:

• Active Directory Domain Services Operations Guide

• DNS Step-by-Step Guide

• Best Practice Guide for Securing Active Directory Installations.doc—provides detailed information about securing domain controllers.

• Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Branch Office Guide

For information about deploying AD DS, go to the following resources on the Microsoft Web site:

• AD DS Design Guide—provides in-depth guidance for planning Active Directory Domain Services.

• AD DS Deployment Guide—provides in-depth guidance for deploying AD DS in both new and upgrade environments.

• Domain Controller Role: Configuring a domain controller—provides information and procedures to help you configure a domain controller.

For operational information about AD DS, go to the following resources on the Microsoft Web site:

• Active Directory Domain Services Operations Guide

• Administering Domain and Forest Trusts

• Administering Active Directory Backup and Recovery

• Administering Intersite Replication

For more information about AD DS, go to the following resources on the Microsoft Web site:

• Windows Server 2003 Technical Reference

• Windows interface administrative tool reference A-Z