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