Active Directory Integration

To begin with, Active Directory, also known as (AD), combines a database and a set of services that link users to their appropriate network resources. The most interesting thing about Active Directory is its ability to store login credentials and other information, including resources, within a network system. AD stores information in a hierarchical manner, and thus, this gives it an added advantage. AD also allows IT operators to search and manage information, data, and other resources in the database in the network hierarchy order. This is unlike the basic database, which is only used as a storage tool.

A directory contains important information about the working environment and the active users and computers that have been granted access to the database.

Active Directory operates technically. However, we must take note of these two vital components of an active directory which are:

• (AD DS) - which is the active directory domain service and
• (DC) - which is the Domain service

The (AD DS) is a vital component of the window server OS and the primary AD service. The (DCs) on the other hand, is the main server that runs the AD DS. An organization is required to own numerous DCs, and each DS should possess a copy of the entire domain.

The servers that run AD DS are called domain controllers (DCs). Organizations normally have multiple DCs, each with a copy of the directory for the entire domain. This implies that any changes made to the directory on any domain controllers– such as changing login credentials or the deletion of an active account — are replicated to the other DCs so they can all stay up to date.

A Global Catalog server is the primary DC responsible for storing a complete replica of all information in the directory of its domain and another copy of all the data of all other domains in the forest. This feature allows users and software applications to locate the data in any domain of their forest. All devices running Windows programs can be a component of an AD environment, but unfortunately, they do not run AD DS. AD DS depends on some enacted protocols and standards like the LDAP, DNS, etc.

It is also important to mention that an AD is only suitable for on-premises Microsoft environments.

Talking of Identity Providers (IDP) is mainly concerned with storing and authenticating all the identities used by users to log into their devices, file servers, applications, and other forms of data depending on the user's setup.

Most identity providers operate based on the SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) concept. AD doesn’t support SAML. Hence it is not an identity provider. However, AD can perform the exact services that a SAML IdP does. This implies that it can authenticate users and provides a program that will securely represent the authentication process. Hence, From this point of view, we can frankly say that AD is partially an identity provider.

A domain controller is a server that filters requests that will be authenticated from users within the computer domain. Domain controllers block all unauthorized access to the domain network while allowing authorized users to gain access to all directory services.

Domain controllers are predominantly used in AD owned by Windows domains. They can also be used alongside other identity management systems. They operate by copying directory information, such as the login credentials for their domain.

The major advantages of a domain controller are as follows:

• It prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to the domain resources through identity authentication via login credentials while granting access to authorized users.
• It applies security principles to demand access to domain resources. For instance, in a Windows AD domain, the domain gathers authentication information for user accounts from the Active Directory. A domain controller can operate as a solitary system. Although they are usually executed in groups for improved performance. Most Windows Directory domains contain a primary domain controller (PDC) and a single or several backup domain controllers (BDC).

Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication process that permits users to log in with just a single identification detail into a common or independent software system. It saves much time and provides an ultimately secure authentication process. It grants users access to login and access services without the need to re-inputting authentication factors.

To get started, you'll need an LDAP identity provider (IdP) to oversee the Log-in process and provide your user details to TalentLMS.

TalentLMS requires user credentials, such as a personal identifier for each user, the user's full name, email, and last name.

Below  is the algorithm that will enable you to implement SSO using LAPD successfully:

1. Sign up for the Web console.
2. Create a fresh system or use an already existing one.
3. Create a fresh authentication policy.
4. Create an authentication provider.
5. Create a content provider.

With the successful completion of the steps spelled out above, your user would now have a principal name for the AD system, and you would now be able to sign up for OpenIAM with AD credentials.

Active Directory Group Policies are significant sets of instructions in an Active Directory environment that an IT manager can configure.

Each GPO is connected to an Active Directory packet to which the computer or user belongs. Automatically, the system processes the GPOs in the following Format: local, site, domain, then organizational unit. Hence, the computer or the user accepts the policy settings of the previous Active Directory packet processed.

When processing the GPO, the system scans the access-control list (ACL) linked to the GPO. If the user is denied access by the access-control entry (ACE), the system will not execute the policy configuration stipulated by the GPO. If the access control entry grants access to the GPO, the system will execute the policy configuration stipulated by the GPO.

Active Directory group programs usually determine the behavior and benefits for users and computers. Group Policies are mainly protective solutions for the Active Directory network. Administrators can configure and implement these settings on websites, domains, or other networks containing both users and computers.