Introduction : Active Directory stores information about users, computers and network resources and makes the resources accessible to users and applications. It provides a consistent way to name, describe, locate, access, manage, and secure information about these resources.

Function of Active Directory : Active directory provides following functions

• Centralizes control of network resources.
• Centralizes and decentralizes resource management.
• Stores objects securely in a logical structure.
• Optimizes network traffic.

Logical Structure of Active Directory : The logical structure of Active Directory includes the following components

• Objects
• Organizational Units
• Domains
• Domain trees
• Forests

Physical Structure of Active Directory : The Physical structure of Active Directory includes the following elements

• Domain Controllers
• Active Directory sites
• Active Directory partition