Microsoft Active Directory
As institutions embrace the potential of e-learning, and implement more ICT systems, administrators need stable, comprehensive, and powerful Directory Service tools. Active Directory® service—part of Microsoft® Windows Server SystemTM integrated server software—helps manage users and assets in education more efficiently.
This flexible, powerful solution equips administrators to meet daily network administration demands, and deal with permission changes that occur when staff and students begin new courses. Active Directory also helps maintain computer laboratories, which may be used by any of these people.
Active Directory is a flexible and powerful solution, capable of handling user authentication and network resources—from a modest-size school, to a multi-campus university. Maintenance time is reduced, freeing up resources to improve overall functionality. Active Directory can also help to simplify, automate, and centralise administration tools and technologies. Data security is assured, without any need for intervention, because of integrated updates and centralised file back-ups.
Five Reasons to Deploy Microsoft Active Directory
| • | Add, modify, and delete user accounts quickly and easily with a range of flexible tools. |
| • | Perform common, critical tasks without the need for user intervention. |
| • | Create roaming profiles for your users, so they can use any computer in the institution as easily as their own. |
| • | Easily integrate critical patches from Windows Update Services to combat security threats. |
| • | Quickly and seamlessly deploy new programs to the users that need them. |
Benefits for Stakeholders
Institutions
Network administrators in the education sector face a unique set of challenges. Student turnover can be handled easily with Active Directory, in conjunction with Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003 [LINK to IIS page]. Accounts of former students can be quickly deleted, and new cohorts added, with the tools provided.
Network administrators can use the Delegation of Control Wizard to be more productive, and empower selected teaching and administration staff to carry out common administration tasks. Computer laboratory management can be simplified by using roaming profiles and centralised file storage. Ensure the security of your ICT infrastructure, by using group policies to control actions and permissions of different user groups in your institution.
Students
Active Directory roaming profiles and centralised file storage make life easier for students. They can log on to any computer in their institution, and access their personal files, desktop, and preferences wherever they are.
Teachers
As the needs of your students and the curriculum change, so do your institution’s software requirements. Active Directory makes the installation of new software on to the correct desktops as simple as one request. Roaming profiles mean there is no need for seating plans, so students can use any computer. Teachers can focus on teaching with technology, rather than worry if it’s set up properly.
The Microsoft Active Directory Campus Initiative Cookbook is a comprehensive introduction and guide to Active Directory for IT administrators and executives at colleges and universities
Find out more
Microsoft Active Directory home page
