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Topic starter 01/08/2025 9:37 pm
🛡️ A Microsoft Domain Controller (DC) is a server that manages security, authentication, and access control within a Windows domain network. It’s the brain behind centralized identity management in enterprise environments.
🧠 What It Does
- Authenticates users and devices when they log into the network
- Enforces security policies like password rules and access permissions
- Manages Active Directory (AD)—a database of users, computers, and resources
- Allocates resources based on user roles and group memberships
🏢 Why It Matters
- Centralizes control over thousands of users and devices
- Enables Single Sign-On (SSO) across networked systems
- Supports Group Policy to enforce consistent settings across machines
- Provides Kerberos and LDAP authentication protocols for secure access
🛠️ How It Works
| Component | Role in Domain Controller |
|---|---|
| Active Directory | Stores user accounts, groups, and policies |
| Kerberos | Handles secure authentication |
| DNS | Resolves domain names to IP addresses |
| Group Policy | Applies rules to users and computers |
🧪 Example Use Case
Imagine a company with 500 employees. Instead of managing each computer individually, a Domain Controller lets IT:
- Create user accounts centrally
- Push software updates and security settings
- Restrict access to sensitive folders based on job roles
🆚 Domain Controller vs Workgroup
| Feature | Domain Controller | Workgroup |
|---|---|---|
| User Management | Centralized via AD | Local on each machine |
| Security Policies | Enforced via Group Policy | Manual setup |
| Scalability | Ideal for large networks | Best for small setups |
