About the UIUC Active Directory
Microsoft's Active Directory is an integrated set of directory services that improves the management, interoperability, and security of the Windows network operating system. The UIUC Active Directory (UIUC AD) is a campuswide service hosted by CITES. University departments participate by becoming an Organizational Unit (OU).
Management: When your department becomes an OU, your network administrators will be able to spend less time managing user identities and accounts, reduce the number of network servers in your department, and maintain your local resources remotely with easy-to-use AD administration tools. Plus, the UIUC AD provides the most straightforward migration path from a Windows NT network to Windows Server 2003.
Interoperability: The UIUC AD connects users to computing resources across campus with easy lookup and a minimal number of sign-ons. Your users will be able to find file servers, printers, and other resources anywhere on the campuswide Active Directory easily and quickly.
Security: Departments can create security groups that provide access to resources based on the roles of specific users. Remote installation services that come with Active Directory make system maintenance not only simpler, but also more flexible and secure.
How much does it cost?
There are no charges for the UIUC AD service, and your department's network administrators typically can handle its implementation. Further, implementing the service can lower overall computing costs by reducing network servers and their administration management (see more about lowering computing costs on the Why Join AD? page).
Who can use it?
Any UIUC department or affiliated agency can use the UIUC AD. The UIUC AD contains accounts for all faculty, staff, and students. These accounts are synchronized with the campus Electronic Directory service.
To join the UIUC AD, departments enroll as OUs by contacting the Active Directory Support Team.
What are AD implementation needs?
Although your department's users may be running Windows, Macintosh, and Unix operating systems on their machines, your department will need a Windows XP Professional workstation to administer the OU.
Many AD deployment and maintenance tasks are managed and supported by CITES, but department administrators will need to know how to:
- Add machines to the UIUC AD,
- Create security groups, and
- Manage group policy objects.
Training available for OU administrators
CITES Training – see CITES Training Services – provides workshops designed for OU administrators, including:
- UIUC Active Directory Overview
- How and Why Active Directory Uses DNS
- Implementing Name Resolution
- Managing Security and Access Control
- Managing Users and Groups and Your OU Structure
- How to Create and Manage Computer Accounts in Your OU
- How to Create, Configure, and Use Group Policies
- Troubleshooting Tools and Tips
Additionally, OU administration support is available by contract with OnSite Consulting. See OnSite Consulting or call 333-8628.