A Windows Server domain or Windows NT Domain is a logical group of computers running versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system that share a central directory database. This central database (known as the Active Directory starting with Windows 2000Northrup, Tony. Introducing Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Press, 1999. ISBN 1572318759) contains the user accounts and security information for the resources in that domain. Each person who uses computers within a domain receives his or her own unique account, or user name. This account can then be assigned access to resources within the domain.

In a domain, the 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.

A domain does not refer to a single location or specific type of network configuration. The computers in a domain can share physical proximity on a small LAN or they can be located in different parts of the world. As long as they can communicate, their physical position is irrelevant.

The benefits of a domain are

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

See also

• Active Directory
• Security Account Manager, or SAM

External links

• Microsoft official website
• A Description at the IBM website

Notes