When users log into their domain, the DC checks their username, password, and other credentials to either allow or deny access for that user. Domain controllers contain the data that determines and validates access to your network, including any group policies and all computer names. Everything an attacker could possibly need to cause massive damage to your data and network is on the DC, which makes a DC a primary target during a cyberattack. Active Directory is a type of domain, and a domain controller is an important server on that domain.
Kind of like how there are many types of cars, and every car needs an engine to operate. Every domain has a domain controller, but not every domain is Active Directory. In general, yes.
Any business — no matter the size — that saves customer data on their network needs a domain controller to improve security of their network. There could be exceptions: some businesses, for instance, only use cloud based CRM and payment solutions. The cloud is analogous to what the electric motor is doing to the modern automobile. Before long, all IT infrastructure will be in the cloud.
And, as we all know the shift to the cloud is accelerating everyday. So if domain controllers are such a critical component today, you may be asking how they can be replaced tomorrow. Enter in JumpCloud Directory Platform , the first outright cloud directory service. A cloud directory service eliminates the need for an on-prem domain controller by shifting user authentication and authorization to the cloud. In fact, a wireless access point is typically the only on-prem component you will ever need to leverage our service.
A cloud directory service provides lightspeed authentication and management capabilities from anywhere with an internet connection instead of everything being on-prem. In effect, a cloud directory service is the modern domain controller for the cloud with the power to authenticate user identities and authorize access to resources, regardless of platform, wherever they may be.
If you would like to learn more about the future of domain controllers and why the Domainless Enterprise may be the future approach for your organization, drop us a note. Alternatively, sign-up for a JumpCloud Free account and see what a true cloud directory platform could be for you.
What is a Domain Controller? Share This Article. Active Directory, AD, is a database that holds all the users in the company.
It also holds clients computers and servers for the company. All these things have an account in Active Directory and this account will decide how much permissions the user or computer has. There are also things like group policies, security settings and connection to other services. Something that many IT admins like to have is AD groups. These groups can be set on file shares or basically any other resource. A user that wants permission to that resource, be it a file, an application, a website, or a server, can be a member of this group.
Since the group already has permission, the user will also get access when placed into that group. Active Directory can also be used to connect to other services. You might have heard about something called Single Sign-On SSO or seen it on many log-in screens for services that you are using. When using this option, the service that you are logging into, will contact Active Directory and see if you exist and permitted to log in to this service. This is good both for the user and IT.
I believe that we have already covered the domain controller in the beginning so keeping this bit shorter. But a domain controller is the server that Active Directory runs on. A best practice for all companies that use Active Directory, is to have at least two domain controllers. This is for redundancy so that if one goes down, the company can keep working while IT freaks out.
Preferably, the domain controllers should be at different places physically. Another benefit of having multiple DCs could be that you have them in different locations. Say if the company has an office in Country A and another in Country B. Instead of having users in Country B to connect to A, the authentication process can be sped up if there is a DC in the office for Country B.
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