Active Directory (AD)

Active Directory is Microsoft's directory service that allows administrators to assign policies, deploy software, and apply updates for an entire organization. AD also allows users to store data in a central location, where it is backed up.

Benefits of Active Directory

Active Directory is a state-wide authentication directory that supports enterprise systems, provides contact information and scheduling integration, along with providing mechanisms for centralized desktop management. There are multiple Active Directory (AD) environments in use across the University of Tennessee campuses and institutes. The purpose of the Active Directory Project is to migrate all of these environments into a single AD forest, which will provide the following benefits:

1. Single user name and password - NetID
2. Password synced between AD and LDAP Directory Services
3. Reduce overhead through standardization
4. Improve services through centralized management capabilities
5. Provide foundation for the following AD related services: a)SharePoint    b)Exchange
6. Improve workstation security
7. Central storage provided for individuals and departments
8. Backup and restoration services for central storage
9. Server storage space for user documents
10. Backed up data on Home and Departmental drives
11. Lower departmental cost because infrastructure is managed and maintained by OIT