Frequently Asked Questions
Questions asked during the Active Directory Town Hall Meeting
What is Active Directory?
- A network operating system that functions as a single point of management for Windows-based user accounts, clients, servers and applications.
What does Active Directory do?
- More secure system to share applications and services across the internet
- Provides the ability to build applications that give a single point of access to multiple sources in a network
- A network structure that lets any object on a network be tracked and located. (Directory service)
- Allows administrators to deploy programs to many computers, and apply critical updates to an entire organization
What is a directory service?
- Provides a place to store information about network-based entities (applications, files, printers, and people.
What does a directory service do?
- Consistent way to name, describe, locate, access, manage and secure information about these resources
- Acts as main switchboard of network operating system
- Central authority which manages identities and relationships between resources
- When tightly coupled with management and security mechanisms, ensures integrity and privacy of network
- Allows maintenance of network infrastructure and system administration
Why are we changing?
- To implement a supported network operating system for the institution
- Discontinued support and security patches for current system (at end of this year)
- Single point of management
- Enhances network operating system: more manageable, more secure, more interoperable
What are the benefits of Active Directory?
- Easier sign on: reduce number of usernames and passwords, computer access, email, network resources, etc., most sign-ons will now use eRaider
- Network access at all campuses: log in on any campus and have access to accounts, file shares, etc.
- Automatic protection and updates: administrators can set computers to update and patch systematically, ability to deploy applications to many computers
Are there security reasons for this change?
- Federal, State, and Local Compliance
- Makes TTUHSC more secure: tightly controls security (virus updates, security patches), improves password security and management, security incidents and audit response
Where are we with the migration process?
- Amarillo � completed
- Odessa � completed
- TTU � completed
- HSC � approx. 35% of users have been migrated
What will be the migration process?
- Technician documents computer info
- Network domain changes are configured
- Migration of the users profile (includes Outlook)
- Reconnect to shares and mapped drives
- User logs on to verify migration is complete
- Takes approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on the speed of the computer
What is Exchange 2003?
- Exchange Server, the Microsoft messaging and collaboration server, is software that runs on servers that enables you to send and receive electronic mail and other forms of interactive communication through computer networks.
What are the benefits of Exchange 2003?
- Mobile, remote, and desktop e-mail access with state-of-the-art security and privacy
- Lower cost of ownership through the services provided by Microsoft Windows Server 2003
- High reliability and outstanding performance
- E-mail-based collaboration
- Easy upgrading, deployment, and administration
Is it true that we will no longer be able to install software on our computer?
- A Power User can install some kinds of software, but most applications will require Administrative permissions to install.
- A Power User can do nearly as much as an Administrator, but with a limited ability to change system settings in ways that could cause harm to the operating system.