Apr 29 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory Replication

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the Active Directory Replication.

Replication

o   Active Directory KCC Architecture and Processes

o   Replication Topology Physical Structure

o   Performance Limits for Replication Topology Generation

o   Goals of Replication Topology

o   Topology-Related Objects in Active Directory

o   Replication Transports

o   Replication Between Sites

o   KCC and Topology Generation

o   Network Ports Used by Replication Topology

o   Related Information

o   What Is the Active Directory Replication Model?

o   How the Active Directory Replication Model Works

o   Active Directory Replication Tools and Settings

o   What Is Active Directory Replication Topology?

o   How Active Directory Replication Topology Works

o   Active Directory Replication Tools and Settings

Apr 29 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory DNS & Name Resolution

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the Active Directory DNS & Name Resolution.

DNS & Name Resolution

o   DNS Architecture

o   DNS Protocol

o   DNS Physical Structure

o   DNS Processes and Interactions

o   Network Ports Used By DNS

o   Related Information

o   What Is DNS?

o   How DNS Works

o   DNS Tools and Settings

o   DNS Support for Active Directory Architecture

o   DNS Physical Structure in Support of Active Directory

o   DNS Support for Active Directory Processes and Interactions

o   Network Ports Used by DNS in Support of Active Directory

o   Related Information

o   Introduction

o   DNS Fundamentals

o   New Features of the Windows 2000 DNS

o   Designing a DNS Namespace for the Active Directory

o   Summary

o   Glossary

o   What Is DNS Support for Active Directory?

o   How DNS Support for Active Directory Works

o   DNS Support for Active Directory Tools and Settings

Apr 29 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory DFS & FRS

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the AActive Directory DFS & FRS.

DFS Namespaces (DFSN) & DFS Replication (DFSR)

o   What Is DFS?

o   How DFS Works

o   DFS Tools and Settings

o   DFS Terminology

o   DFS Client and Server Compatibility

o   Characteristics of Namespace Types

o   DFS Architecture

o   DFS Physical Structures and Caches

o   DFS Processes and Interactions

o   DFS Protocols

o   DFS Interfaces

o   Network Ports Used by DFS

o   Related Information

o   Enable Access-Based Enumeration on a Namespace

o   Enable or Disable Referrals and Client Failback

o   Change the Amount of Time That Clients Cache Referrals

o   Set the Ordering Method for Targets in Referrals

o   Set Target Priority to Override Referral Ordering

o   Optimize Namespace Polling

o   Using Inherited Permissions with Access-Based Enumeration

o   SYSVOL Migration Conceptual Information

o   SYSVOL Migration Procedure

o   Troubleshooting SYSVOL Migration

o   SYSVOL Migration Reference Information

o   1: SYSVOL Migration Series: Part 1 – Introduction to the SYSVOL migration process

o   2: SYSVOL Migration Series: Part 2 – Dfsrmig.exe: The SYSVOL migration tool

o   3: SYSVOL Migration Series: Part 3 – Migrating to the Prepared State

o   4: SYSVOL Migration Series: Part 4 – Migrating to the ‘REDIRECTED’ state

o   5: SYSVOL Migration Series: Part 5 – Migrating to the ‘ELIMINATED’ state

File Replication Service (FRS)

o   FRS Terminology

o   FRS Architecture

o   FRS Protocols

o   FRS Interfaces

o   FRS Physical Structures

o   FRS Processes and Interactions

o   Network Ports Used by FRS

o   Related Information

o   FRS Tools

o   FRS Registry Entries

o   Network Ports Used by FRS

o   What Is FRS?

o   How FRS Works

o   FRS Tools and Settings

Apr 28 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory Client Interaction

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the Active Directory Client Interaction.

Client Interaction

o   Domain Controller Name Registration

o   SRV Resource Records

o   Domain Controller Location Process

o   Finding a Domain Controller in the Closest Site

o   Types of Locators

Apr 28 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory Backup and Disaster Recovery

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the Active Directory Backup and Disaster Recovery.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

o   What’s New in AD DS Backup and Recovery?

o   Known Issues for AD DS Backup and Recovery

o   Best Practices for AD DS Backup and Recovery

o   General Requirements for Backing Up and Recovering AD DS

o   Scenario Overviews for Backing Up and Recovering AD DS

o   Steps for Backing Up and Recovering AD DS

o   New Features, Assumptions, and Prerequisites for Using This Guide for Planning Active Directory Forest Recovery

o   Devising a Custom Forest Recovery Plan

o   Recovering Your Active Directory Forest

o   Appendix A: Forest Recovery Procedures

o   Appendix B: Frequently Asked Questions

o   Appendix C: Recovering a Single Domain within a Multidomain Forest

o   Appendix D: Forest Recovery with Windows Server 2003 Domain Controllers

o   Additional Resources

o   Restore Active Directory from backup

o   Mark the object or objects authoritative

o   Synchronize replication with all partners

o   Run an LDIF file to recover back-links

o   Restart the domain controller in Directory Services Restore Mode locally

o   Create an LDIF file for recovering back-links for authoritatively restored objects

o   Turn off inbound replication

o   Turn on inbound replication

Apr 27 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory Authentication & Logon

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the Active Directory Authentication & Logon.

Authentication & Logon

o   Digest Authentication Technical Reference

o   Interactive Logon Technical Reference

o   Kerberos Authentication Technical Reference

o   TLS/SSL Technical Reference

o   Introduction

o   Overview of the Kerberos Protocol

o   Kerberos Components in Windows 2000

o   Authorization Data

o   Interactive Logon

o   Remote Logon

o   Interoperability

o   Introduction (Kerberos Protocol Transition and Constrained Delegation)

o   Authenticating Web Application Users

o   Windows Server 2003 Kerberos Extensions

o   Sample Scenario Source Files

o   Summary (Kerberos Protocol Transition and Constrained Delegation)

o   Conclusion (Kerberos Protocol Transition and Constrained Delegation)

o   Security Descriptors and Access Control Lists Technical Reference

o   Access Tokens Technical Reference

o   Permissions Technical Reference

o   Security Principals Technical Reference

o   Security Identifiers Technical Reference

o   What is Interactive Logon?

o   How Interactive Logon Works

o   Interactive Logon Tools and Settings

o   User Profiles Overview in User Data and Settings Management

o   User Profile Structure

o   Enhancements to User Profiles in Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP

o   How to Configure a Roaming User Profile

o   Security Considerations when Configuring Roaming User Profiles

o   Best Practices for User Profiles

o   Folder Redirection Overview

o   How to Configure Folder Redirection

o   Security Considerations when Configuring Folder Redirection

o   Best Practices for Folder Redirection in User Data and Settings Management

o   Related Technologies: Offline Files and Synchronization Manager

o   Common Scenarios for IntelliMirror User Data and Settings Features

o   Appendix: Group Policy Settings for Roaming User Profiles

o   Related Links for User Data and Settings Management

Apr 27 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory Database

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding the Active Directory Database.

AD Database

o   Data Store Architecture

o   Data Store Protocols

o   Data Store Interfaces

o   Data Store Logical Structure

o   Data Store Physical Structure

o   Data Store Processes and Interactions

o   Network Ports Used by the Data Store

o   Related Information

o   Directory Tree

o   Storage Limits

o   Directory Data Store

o   Object-Based Security

o   Growth Estimates for Active Directory Users and Organizational Units

o   Data Characteristics

o   Windows 2000 SAM Storage

o   Data Model

o   Container Objects and Leaf Objects

o   Directory Partitions

o   Transaction Log Files

o   Temporary Transaction Log Files

o   Reserved Transaction Log Files

o   Checkpoint Files

o   Database Files

o   Temporary Databases

Apr 27 2014

AD Reading: Active Directory Core Concepts

The following are extremely useful resources for understanding Active Directory Core Concepts.

Core Directory Concepts & Key Items

o   Attributes

o   Containers and Leaves

o   Object Names and Identities

o   Naming Contexts and Directory Partitions

o   Domain Trees

o   Forests

o   Active Directory Servers and Dynamic DNS

o   Replication and Data Integrity

o   Active Directory Logical Structure

o   Active Directory Data Storage

o   Name Resolution in Active Directory

o   Active Directory Schema

o   Service Publication in Active Directory

o   Active Directory Replication

o   Managing Flexible Single-Master Operations

o   Monitoring Performance in Active Directory

o   Active Directory Backup and Restore

o   Active Directory Diagnostics, Troubleshooting, and Recovery

o   Active Directory on a Windows Server Network

o   Active Directory Application Mode

o   Structure and Storage Technologies

o   Domain Controller Roles

o   Replication Technologies

o   Search and Publication Technologies

o   Installation, Upgrade, and Migration Technologies

o   Introduction

o   Active Directory User and Computer Accounts

o   Active Directory Groups User Authentication

o   User Authorization

o   Summary

o   Appendix A: Built-in, Predefined, and Special Groups

o   Appendix B: User Rights

o   Understanding AD DS Design

o   Identifying Your AD DS Design and Deployment Requirements

o   Mapping Your Requirements to an AD DS Deployment Strategy

o   Designing the Logical Structure for Windows Server 2008 AD DS

o   Designing the Site Topology for Windows Server 2008 AD DS

o   Enabling Advanced Features for AD DS

o   Evaluating AD DS Deployment Strategy Examples

o   Appendix A: Reviewing Key AD DS Terms

o   Active Directory Logical Structure

o   Active Directory Data Storage

o   Name Resolution in Active Directory

o   Active Directory Schema

o   Service Publication in Active Directory

o   Active Directory Replication

o   Managing Flexible Single-Master Operations

o   Monitoring Performance in Active Directory

o   Active Directory Backup and Restore

o   Active Directory Diagnostics, Troubleshooting, and Recovery

o   What Are Domain and Forest Trusts?

o   How Domain and Forest Trusts Work

o   Domain and Forest Trust Tools and Settings

o   Security Considerations for Trusts

o   What Is the Global Catalog?

o   How the Global Catalog Works

o   Global Catalog Tools and Settings

o   What are Operations Masters?

o   How Operations Masters Work

o   Operations Masters Tools and Settings

o   What Is TCP/IP?

o   How TCP/IP Works

o   TCP/IP Tools and Settings

o   Planning Deployment of AD DS in the Perimeter Network

o   Designing RODCs in the Perimeter Network

o   Deploying RODCs in the Perimeter Network

o   Planning to Virtualize Domain Controllers

o   Deployment Considerations for Virtualized Domain Controllers

o   Operational Considerations for Virtualized Domain Controllers

o   Backup and Restore Considerations for Virtualized Domain Controllers

o   USN and USN Rollback

 

 

 

Apr 27 2014

Hyper-V 2012 Resources

I have been researching Hyper-V 2012 quite a bit over the past couple of months. Here are some of the more useful links:

Mar 19 2014

Intel vPro Technology Security

In every modern (recent) Intel processor, there is a remote access

Hardware Secrets posted:

Intel’s vPro technology provides IT managers with a collection of security and manageability features, including remote access to the PC independent of the state of the operating system or that of the computer’s power. The newest vPro processors include an identity protection technology with public key infrastructure (Intel IPT with PKI), which provides a new second layer of authentication embedded into the PC that allows websites and business networks to validate that a legitimate user is logging on from a trusted PC by using a private key stored in a PC’s firmware. In addition, the chipset has Intel’s Secure Key, a hardware-based random number generator that businesses can use to encrypt applications, OS Guard malware detection and prevention technology, and McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator (ePO) Deep Command, which is designed to allow remote patching.

Intel’s website provides more details.