Active Directory Domain Services
Updated: January 4, 2013
Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012
Active Directory® Domain Services (AD DS) stores information about users, computers, and other resources on a network. AD DS helps administrators manage this information securely. It also facilitates resource sharing and collaboration among users. AD DS is required for directory-enabled applications, such as Microsoft® Exchange Server, and for other Windows Server technologies, such as Group Policy.
Note
AD DS requires a Domain Name System (DNS) server to be installed on the network. If you do not have a DNS server available for name resolution in the domain, you will be prompted to install the DNS server role on this server.
The following topics provide information about using AD DS snap-ins: