Domains for Dummies

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Domains for Dummies

• Glynn Brooks
• NTPCUG
• Certification SIG
• November 18, 2006

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Todays Topics

• What are the most common models for computer
  networks?
• What are the advantages of a Windows Server
  domain?
• What must you know to develop software that runs
  in a domain environment?

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Windows Network Model History

• Windows Workgroup
• Windows 3.11 Windows for Workgroups (1993)
• Windows Domain Operating Systems
• Windows NT Server 3.1 (1993)
• Windows NT Workstation 3.5 (1994)
• Windows NT Server 4 (1996)
• Windows 2000 Server (1999)
• Windows 2000 Professional (2000)
• Windows XP Professional (2001)
• Windows Server 2003

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Workgroup Model Small Office/Home Office (SOHO)

• Workgroup computers are networked, but there is
  no formal membership or authentication process
• A workgroup is peer-to-peer networking model no
  one is in charge
• Workgroups are difficult to manage beyond a dozen
  workstations

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Domain Model SMB/Enterprise

• Windows Server domaina group of computers
  running versions of the Microsoft Windows
  operating system that share a central directory
  database
• Active Directorythe central database that
  contains the user accounts and security
  information for the resources in a Windows Server
  domain

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Server Roles

• In a domain, the active directory resides on
  computers that are configured as "domain
  controllers".
• A domain controller is a server that manages all
  security-related aspects of a user and domain
  interactions, centralizing security and
  administration.

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Domain Controller Coordination
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Server Roles

• File and print server
• Web server and Web application services
• Mail server
• Terminal server
• Remote access and virtual private network server
• Directory services, Domain Name System (DNS),
  Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
  server, and Windows Internet Naming Service
  (WINS)
• Security Manager, Group Policy Management
• Time Server

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Benefits of a Windows Server Domain

• Centralized Administration - Management of the
  entire domain can be done with access to one
  database
• Single Logon Process - Access to network
  resources can be granted through a single logon
• Scalability - Very large networks can be created

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Summary and Recommendations

• Applications that run in a domain environment
  have to honor the security model that has been
  established by the domain administrators
• This normally means that you have to write code
  that strictly follows the Trusted Subsystem
  Model as described in the ASP .NET guidelines
• Development and testing are best done in a domain
  environment too many surprises occur when app
  is ported

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Todays Links

• 10 Flavors of Windows Server 2003http//tinyurl
  .com/yadg6q
• Programming using Active Directory
  serviceshttp//tinyurl.com/y6lfvu
• Developing Identity-Aware ASP .NET
  Applicationshttp//tinyurl.com/yxv6cm

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Additional Resources

• Glynn Brooks contact information
• Glynn_at_RGBTechnical.com
• 214-228-2831