Active Directory can be useful as an identity provider and management solution. It helps network managers with the entire user lifecycle, from creation to termination. This includes the provisioning process, the accounting process, and the authorization process. By centralizing user management, Active Directory can help improve security.
Security Manager at Yarix S.r.l.
Manages credentials, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and network infrastructure and supports network management and security
Pros and Cons
- "Active Directory plays a focal point in security management, encompassing aspects like credential management, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and the network infrastructure of customers."
- "I would like to see more integration with cloud-based applications. This would make it easier to manage users and devices across multiple platforms."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
Active Directory plays a focal point in security management, encompassing aspects like credential management, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and the network infrastructure of customers.
Our work pertains to security applications, not system management. In essence, it's about Microsoft's Active Directory, not Microsoft System. We are all collectively interested in its potential.
What is most valuable?
I like the integration with the Microsoft suite of products. This makes it easy to create a unified and centrally managed network.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see more integration with cloud-based applications. This would make it easier to manage users and devices across multiple platforms.
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Microsoft Active Directory
October 2024
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For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Active Directory for more than ten years. We consistently upgrade our server system to incorporate the new version, ensuring that we operate with the most recent release.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There were no problems with scalability. We could manage networks of hundreds and thousands of users.
Everyone in our organization is using this solution. We use this solution regularly.
How are customer service and support?
The support is quite good, but usually, we don't need to reach out to Microsoft's support directly because most issues can be resolved through our integrator. It's one of the standout aspects of this solution in the world. We easily find the solutions.
How was the initial setup?
The setup is not as straightforward as I would like it to be. It was a lot more complex to configure the console in Active Directory.
What about the implementation team?
The deployment process depends on the features you want to implement and the size of the network. In general, it can take a few days to a few weeks to deploy Active Directory.
We deploy and manage Active Directory in-house, but we do use a system integrator for some specific tasks, such as designing the Active Directory infrastructure. While we provide recommendations and implement certain functionalities, our customers are responsible for direct management, sometimes with the support of an integrator for tasks beyond their expertise.
To activate the Active Directory feature, you need to establish a controlled system. This involves creating a forest and distinguishing between various active directory instances and different forests.
Additionally, user insertion is essential, along with segmenting users and resources into distinct groups. Configuration is necessary for each parameter, from account metering to endpoint management. Ultimately, consolidation must be achieved. This process is complex and time-consuming.
Therefore, the number of people required for maintenance and deployment depends on the complexity and the size. It requires us to map out the architecture accurately. The infrastructure includes both managerial and technical roles.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's not overly expensive. It's considered a base function by Microsoft. We're required to pay for the license, which is based on the frequency of service usage. It's on a yearly basis.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate the solution a ten out of ten.
I suggest managing security aspects since it serves as a focal point for managing credentials and financial operations. A keen focus is essential.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Head of IT department at a consultancy with 501-1,000 employees
Useful group policy management, scales well, and high availability
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Microsoft Active Directory are the management of user and group policies."
- "The DNS services could improve in Microsoft Active Directory."
What is our primary use case?
I use Microsoft Active Directory for user and computer management.
How has it helped my organization?
Microsoft Active Directory implementation allows us to save time for user management. Single sign-on with enterprise applications improves our security.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Microsoft Active Directory are the management of user and group policies.
What needs improvement?
The DNS services could improve in Microsoft Active Directory.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Active Directory for approximately 18 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Active Directory is highly stable.
I rate the scalability of Microsoft Active Directory a ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
We have approximately 700 people in 90 countries using the solution in my company.
We create user accounts and policies using the solution. We do not touch it often.
I rate the scalability of Microsoft Active Directory a ten out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
We have our own expertise and did not communicate with customer service about this solution.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I did not use another similar solution to Microsoft Active Directory.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of the solution is easy but needs good planning, sometimes the environment can cause challenges. The full process takes a few hours.
The migration from workgroups to the current infrastructure took approximately six months.
The number of steps taken to implement the solution depends on the environment of the deployment. For example, how the users work, and how many offices can determine the difficulty and steps taken for the implementation.
I rate the initial setup of Microsoft Active Directory a nine out of ten.
What about the implementation team?
We did the implementation of the solution in-house with three administrators.
What was our ROI?
We do not calculate the ROI but think it is worth the money.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Microsoft Active Directory could improve. We pay annually for the solution.
I rate the price of Microsoft Active Directory a seven out of ten.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated other options before choosing Microsoft Active Directory, such as Linux-based solutions. I was familiar with Microsoft Active Directory and comfortable and this is why we are using it.
What other advice do I have?
We use three administrators for the maintenance of all infrastructure including the solution.
I rate Microsoft Active Directory an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Active Directory
October 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Active Directory. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2024.
814,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior Data Archirect at Yettel
Offers a user-friendly UI to help identify and authorize users
Pros and Cons
- "The user-friendliness of Microsoft Active Directory is a valuable feature."
- "We may occasionally experience difficulty integrating some solutions with Microsoft Active Directory, but I am unsure whether the issue lies with Microsoft Active Directory or the other solution."
What is our primary use case?
In our company, Microsoft Active Directory serves as the central component for registering users, storing them in different groups, and defining the type of access for various parts of the company. Additionally, we have rights associated with these groups, which allows us to use them for other tools to assess the permissions in specific areas. Essentially, we use authentication to determine a user's identity and authorization to decide which rights should be applied to them. This process helps us manage access to company resources effectively.
What is most valuable?
The user-friendliness of Microsoft Active Directory is a valuable feature.
What needs improvement?
We may occasionally experience difficulty integrating some solutions with Microsoft Active Directory, but I am unsure whether the issue lies with Microsoft Active Directory or the other solution.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Active Directory for several years.
What other advice do I have?
I give Microsoft Active Directory a nine out of ten.
We have thousands of end users who utilize Microsoft Active Directory.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Enterprise Technical Support at a government with 10,001+ employees
A solution with great audit, authentication and authorization features
Pros and Cons
- "Audit, authentication and authorization are the best features."
- "There is room for improvement."
What is our primary use case?
We use Active Directory as a single sign-on when integrating it into applications.
What is most valuable?
Audit, authentication and authorization are the best features.
What needs improvement?
There is room for improvement. Microsoft is always working to improve their solutions and features.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution. Microsoft Active Directory is the bread and butter for Microsoft, so they're always working on improvements.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution. Our organization has more than 45,000 users and nearly 300 users in our IT sector. We have a dedicated team for maintenance and segregate responsibilities into different departments.
How are customer service and support?
We always use tech support from Microsoft. If we can solve it internally by ourselves, we do, but if there are other issues related to Active Directory, we create a ticker and reach out to them. I rate the technical support an eight out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not complex but depends on the organization's policies.
What other advice do I have?
I rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Network Specialist at ddrteam
It's stable and consistent, so it doesn't have any bugs or issues
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is user-friendly, and I like using Microsoft products. I think there is no other choice for Active Directory. Microsoft Windows Server Active Directory is the best."
- "The interface hasn't changed much over the years. It's suitable for my tastes, but that doesn't mean everybody likes it."
What is our primary use case?
I'm a network administrator for three companies, and each has between 10 and 30 users. The largest has 28. And I use virtualization based on VMware ES 6 to separate my servers. I use Windows Server 2019 for Active Directory and DNS. Most of my services are based on Microsoft services on the servers, except KerioControl.
Most of the users work in digital marketing. The biggest issue is installing and integrating graphical software, like Adobe and Office.
How has it helped my organization?
Our CRM application is built on SQL Server, and we use Microsoft Windows Server for that. This CRM solution manages all our customer data on that kind of server. We get a tremendous benefit from that application and use Windows Server.
What is most valuable?
The solution is user-friendly, and I like using Microsoft products. I think there is no other choice for Active Directory. Microsoft Windows Server Active Directory is the best.
Active Directory hasn't changed much between Windows Server 2008 and 2019. The protocols and rules are the same, and I think it's the best part of it. It's stable and consistent, so it doesn't have any bugs or issues.
What needs improvement?
The interface hasn't changed much over the years. It's suitable for my tastes, but that doesn't mean everybody likes it.
For how long have I used the solution?
I first used Active Directory on Windows Server 2008, and then I switched. I upgraded all my servers to Windows Server 2019.
I've changed jobs from network administrator to DevOps engineer. We are a team, and we work in cabling and some kind of passing activities most of the time. We typically work alone and manage our networks separately, but team members come to me as an advisor when they have issues.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Active Directory is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I use Active Directory on a lot of powerful hardware, and Windows Server was compatible with all of them.
How was the initial setup?
I rate Windows Server Active Directory 10 out of 10 for ease of setup. The setup is easy. It's an installer, and you click "next." I don't like it, but it's straightforward.
Most recently, I did it for my customers three months ago. After that, I installed ES 6 and other services that I said. It was done in a day or two because I also installed Veeam Backup and Replication.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Windows Server Active Directory nine out of 10. If you are planning to use the solution, I would take advantage of group policies. Everyone who wants to use Active Directory must be careful to include group policies.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior System Administrator at Mongolian Mining Corporation
An easy-to-use tool that allows one to control multiple users while offering a good scalability option
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is an easy-to-use tool."
- "The cloud service of Microsoft Active Directory is an area with certain shortcomings that need improvement."
What is our primary use case?
My company uses Microsoft Active Directory to control multiple users.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is an easy-to-use tool.
What needs improvement?
The cloud service of Microsoft Active Directory is an area with certain shortcomings that need improvement.
Microsoft Active Directory's stability can be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have experience with Microsoft Active Directory. I use the solution's basic version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability-wise, I rate the solution an eight or nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution.
Microsoft Active Directory is used by 150 employees in our company.
My company does plan to increase the use of Microsoft Active Directory in the future.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Microsoft Active Directory is complex.
The deployment of Microsoft Active Directory took maybe half a year.
Including managers, engineers, and developers, there is a need for ten people to manage the solution's deployment and maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
The installation phase of Microsoft Active Directory was carried out with the help of a consultant.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
My company makes payments every quarter towards the licensing costs of the product. I feel Microsoft Active Directory is an affordable product.
What other advice do I have?
I would tell those planning to use the solution that it is a very easy-to-use product.
I rate the overall solution a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Cybersecurity Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
A scalable solution with good management capability
Pros and Cons
- "The solution’s management capability is very good. The tool is also very scalable. You can add any number of users that you want to operate. Moreover, you can easily organize the solution."
- "I would like to see improvements in the solution’s security filtering feature. It can include machines and filter some users. There is no option to exclude a particular user or system."
What is most valuable?
The solution’s management capability is very good. The tool is also very scalable. You can add any number of users that you want to operate. Moreover, you can easily organize the solution.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see improvements in the solution’s security filtering feature. It can include machines and filter some users. There is no option to exclude a particular user or system.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is very scalable. The solution works from a single server. Hence, the usage is as per company and not per user.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is neither too easy nor difficult. You need to have some skills or knowledge in Microsoft Active Directory to implement it.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. I recommend this solution to anyone who is willing to use it. I have no knowledge of other alternatives that can do the same job as Microsoft Active Directory.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Architect Active Directory at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Can be used to manage computer accounts and build roles and permissions
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is easy to install and has good reliability."
- "The solution could be made more safe by using authentication mechanisms."
What is our primary use case?
I use Microsoft Active Directory as the first line in the LDAP directory. You can use the solution to manage computer accounts, user accounts, and other objects. You can also use Microsoft Active Directory to build roles and permissions.
What is most valuable?
The solution is widely used in Microsoft environments, where you use computers with the Microsoft OS. The solution is easy to install and has good reliability. With Microsoft Active Directory, you won't have any problems if one of the domain controllers is damaged. The tools you use to maintain and manage Microsoft Active Directory are not complicated.
What needs improvement?
The solution could be made more safe by using authentication mechanisms. We often have to deal with security issues.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Active Directory for 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution has some bugs, but from my point of view, they are not really important.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
More than 1,00,000 users are using the solution in our organization.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Microsoft Active Directory is not an expensive solution. You have to buy the Windows OS licenses, but you don't have to pay any additional product licenses for Active Directory.
What other advice do I have?
You have to build an environment after considering all your requirements. It is really important to consider your organizational structure and the possibilities of the tools you use to authenticate against Active Directory. Microsoft Active Directory is so easy to install. You can promote the domain controller and then have an Active Directory.
Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Feb 19, 2024
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