AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Create and Manage AD DS Users and Groups

Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is a key feature of Windows Server that helps in managing users and groups. In this section, the focus is on creating and managing user accounts and groups, which are essential for organizing resources and implementing security policies. User accounts represent individual people or services, while groups are collections of accounts that can be managed together.

It's important to create user accounts with appropriate permissions to access resources. Properly defined user roles ensure that users have access to the resources they need while maintaining system integrity. This involves configuring properties such as password settings, account limits, and security protocols.

Managing groups involves organizing users with similar needs or permissions into security groups or distribution groups. Security groups help manage access to shared resources efficiently, allowing permissions to be assigned to the group rather than individual users. This streamlines tasks such as assigning file permissions and defining policies within AD DS.

Manage Users and Groups in Multi-Domain and Multi-Forest Scenarios

In environments with multiple domains or forests, managing users and groups becomes more complex. A domain is a collection of objects within AD DS, while a forest is a group of one or more domains that share a common schema. These structures help organize resources across different parts of an organization.

To manage users and groups effectively in these scenarios, it's essential to understand trust relationships between domains and forests. A trust relationship is a link that allows users in one domain to access resources in another domain. These relationships simplify resource sharing and authentication across domains.

Proper configuration of trust relationships helps maintain security and functionality across multi-domain or multi-forest environments. Administrators need to ensure that policies are consistently applied to manage resources efficiently, keeping user access seamless and secure.

Choose a Service Account Type

Service accounts are special user accounts created to run applications or services on Windows systems. Choosing an appropriate service account type is crucial as it impacts the security and performance of services. The most common service account types include local system accounts, network service accounts, and domain service accounts.

Local system accounts have extensive privileges on the local machine but limited network access. They are suitable for running services that do not require network resources. Network service accounts have lower local privileges but can interact with the network using the machine's computer account credentials.

Domain service accounts, including managed service accounts (MSAs) and group managed service accounts (gMSAs), provide more control by allowing centralized password management and better security practices. Understanding when to use each account type helps maintain security and reliability across services deployed in AD DS environments.

Implement Service Accounts

Implementing service accounts requires careful configuration to ensure services run effectively while maintaining system security. Setting up service accounts involves creating the account, configuring necessary permissions, and ensuring password management is handled appropriately.

Managed Service Accounts (MSAs) simplify administration by automating password management and SPN (Service Principal Name) handling. Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSAs) extend these benefits to multiple servers, reducing administrative overhead for services running on server clusters.

Proper implementation also involves monitoring service account usage, regularly auditing permissions, and making adjustments as required to adhere to organizational policies. The goal is to create a robust environment where services can operate securely without exposing the system to unnecessary risks.

Join Windows Servers to AD DS, Microsoft Entra Domain Services, and Microsoft Entra

Joining Windows Servers to a domain allows them to be centrally managed through AD DS, providing enhanced security and administrative features. This integration enables administrators to enforce group policies, deploy applications, and handle updates efficiently.

Microsoft Entra Domain Services extends these capabilities by providing domain join features in Azure environments. This is particularly useful for hybrid cloud scenarios where on-premises infrastructure integrates with cloud-based resources. With Microsoft Entra, users can leverage familiar tools and processes for managing identities across both platforms.

Joining servers to these domains involves understanding networking requirements and ensuring that adequate DNS configuration is in place. Proper setup ensures a seamless connection between on-premises systems and cloud resources, empowering organizations to harness the full potential of their infrastructure.

Conclusion

The section on "Create and manage AD DS security principals" covers key aspects of managing users, groups, and service accounts within Active Directory environments. Understanding how to organize these elements is essential for maintaining efficient operations in multi-domain or multi-forest setups. Additionally, choosing appropriate service accounts ensures secure application runtime while joining servers enhances centralized management capabilities in both traditional and hybrid cloud environments like those supported by Microsoft Entra Domain Services. These skills collectively form the backbone of maintaining robust Windows Server infrastructure within an organization.