Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and Azure Active Directory Domain Services (AAD DS) are two important technologies used by organizations to manage their resources and users. However, many people get confused between the two and often consider them the same. In this article, we will discuss the differences between AD DS and AAD DS and how they are used in an organization.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Overview of Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
- Overview of Azure Active Directory Domain Services (AAD DS)
- Differences between AD DS and AAD DS
- Architecture
- Deployment
- Management
- Integration with Cloud Services
- Authentication and Authorization
- Cost
- Which One to Choose – AD DS or AAD DS?
- Advantages of Using AD DS and AAD DS
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Introduction
Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is a Microsoft technology used to manage resources like computers, users, and other network objects. It is widely used in organizations to centralize the management of these resources and enforce security policies. On the other hand, Azure Active Directory Domain Services (AAD DS) is a cloud-based technology that provides domain services in the cloud. It enables organizations to manage their resources and users in the cloud and integrates with various cloud services.
Overview of Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
AD DS is a Windows Server technology used to manage resources in an organization. It is used to authenticate and authorize users and computers to access resources like files, printers, and applications. AD DS provides a centralized management console called Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) to manage users, groups, and computers. It uses Domain Name System (DNS) to resolve domain names to IP addresses and provides Group Policy to manage security policies.
Overview of Azure Active Directory Domain Services (AAD DS)
AAD DS is a cloud-based domain service provided by Microsoft. It is built on top of Azure Active Directory (AAD), which is a cloud-based identity and access management service. AAD DS provides domain services like domain join, LDAP, Kerberos, and NTLM authentication in the cloud. It enables organizations to manage their resources and users in the cloud and provides a consistent identity across cloud and on-premises resources.
Differences between AD DS and AAD DS
Architecture
AD DS is a traditional on-premises domain service that requires Windows Server to be installed and configured. It uses Domain Controllers (DCs) to provide domain services like authentication and authorization. On the other hand, AAD DS is a cloud-based domain service that provides domain services in the cloud. It does not require any on-premises infrastructure and uses Azure VMs to provide domain services.
Deployment
AD DS requires Windows Server to be installed and configured as a Domain Controller. It requires planning, hardware, and software resources to deploy and manage. On the other hand, AAD DS is a cloud-based service that does not require any on-premises infrastructure. It can be easily deployed and managed through the Azure portal.
Management
AD DS provides a centralized management console called Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) to manage users, groups, and computers. It also provides Group Policy to manage security policies. AAD DS provides management through the Azure portal and integrates with various cloud services.
Integration with Cloud Services
AD DS is designed to work in a traditional on-premises environment and does not integrate with cloud services. On the other hand, AAD DS is designed to work with cloud services and integrates with various Azure services like Azure Virtual Machines, Azure AD and more.
Authentication and Authorization
AD DS uses various authentication protocols like Kerberos and NTLM to authenticate users and computers. It also provides authorization to control access to resources. AAD DS also supports Kerberos and NTLM authentication but uses Azure AD to authenticate users and computers. It also provides authorization through Azure AD and integrates with various Azure services.
Cost
AD DS requires hardware and software resources to deploy and manage. It also requires licensing fees for Windows Server. On the other hand, AAD DS is a cloud-based service and charges a subscription fee based on the number of users and the resources consumed.
Which One to Choose – AD DS or AAD DS?
The choice between AD DS and AAD DS depends on the organization’s needs and requirements. If the organization has on-premises infrastructure and wants to manage resources and users in an on-premises environment, AD DS is the best option. However, if the organization wants to move to the cloud and manage resources and users in the cloud, AAD DS is the best option.
Advantages of Using AD DS and AAD DS
Both AD DS and AAD DS provide various advantages to organizations. AD DS provides centralized management of resources and users, enforce security policies, and provides a scalable architecture. AAD DS provides domain services in the cloud, integrates with various Azure services, and enables a consistent identity across cloud and on-premises resources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AD DS and AAD DS are two different technologies used to manage resources and users in an organization. AD DS is a traditional on-premises domain service that provides domain services like authentication and authorization. AAD DS is a cloud-based domain service that provides domain services in the cloud and integrates with various Azure services. The choice between the two depends on the organization’s needs and requirements.
FAQs
1. Can I use AD DS and AAD DS together?
Yes, organizations can use both AD DS and AAD DS together to manage resources and users in both on-premises and cloud environments.
2. Is AAD DS a replacement for AD DS?
No, AAD DS is not a replacement for AD DS. AAD DS is a cloud-based domain service that provides domain services in the cloud.
3. Is AAD DS secure?
Yes, AAD DS is secure and provides various security features like Azure AD Multi-Factor Authentication and conditional access policies.
4. How does AAD DS integrate with Azure services?
AAD DS integrates with various Azure services like Azure Virtual Machines, Azure App Service, and Azure SQL Database.
5. Can I migrate from AD DS to AAD DS?
Yes, it is possible to migrate from AD DS to AAD DS using the Azure AD Connect tool. However, it requires planning and preparation.
