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.
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.
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.
The interface hasn't changed much over the years. It's suitable for my tastes, but that doesn't mean everybody likes it.
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.
Active Directory is stable.
I use Active Directory on a lot of powerful hardware, and Windows Server was compatible with all of them.
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.
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.