Windows Server 2008 Updates

So, what is Active Directory?

From Wikipedia:

"Active Directory (AD) is an implementation of LDAP directory services by Microsoft for use primarily in Windows environments. Its main purpose is to provide central authentication and authorization services for Windows based computers.

Active Directory also allows administrators to assign policies, deploy software, and apply critical updates to an organization. Active Directory stores information and settings in a central database. Active Directory networks can vary from a small installation with a few hundred objects, to a large installation with millions of objects.

Active Directory was previewed in 1996, released first with Windows 2000 Server edition, and revised to extend functionality and improve administration in Windows Server 2003. Additional improvements were made in both Windows Server 2003 R2 and Windows Server 2008."

So basically, AD is the heart of authorization and authentication in Windows Server 2008. It's a centralized store where user object information is stored and retrieved by Windows based computers.

An Active Directory (AD) structure is a hierarchical framework of objects.

The objects fall into three broad categories: resources like printers, services like e-mail and users (user accounts and groups).

AD provides information on the objects, organizes the objects, controls access and sets security.

Microsoft have made some changes to Active Directory in Windows Server 2008.

A new "Read-Only Domain Controller" operation mode in Active Directory, intended for use in branch office scenarios where a domain controller may reside in a low physical security environment.

The RODC holds a non-writeable copy of Active Directory, and redirects all write attempts to a Full Domain Controller.
It replicates all accounts except sensitive ones.

In RODC mode, credentials are not cached by default. Moreover, only the Domain Controller running the PDC-Emulator needs to run Windows Server 2008.

Also, local administrators can log on to the machine to perform maintenance tasks without requiring administrative rights on the domain.

Restartable Active Directory allows ADDS to be stopped and restarted from the Management Console or the command-line without rebooting the domain controller.

This reduces downtime for offline operations and reduces overall DC servicing requirements with Server Core. ADDS is implemented as a Domain Controller Service in Windows Server 2008.

Here are some other articles about AD in Windows Server 2008:

Active Directory Certificate Services

Active Directory Domain Controller

Active Directory Federation Services

Active Directory Domain Services

Active Directory Directory Services Auditing Enhancements

Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services

Active Directory Rights Management Services

Active Directory and Schema Extensibility

Active Directory and Restartable Directory Services

 

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Windows 2008 
What is the difference between Windows 2003 and 2008?

IADSTools.dll Library Support  Not rated yet
Hi,
Does this version supports the above support tools in Windows Server 2008.

If not what other options do we have to consume the functionality ...