Chapter 1 - Why Not Active Directory?

Abstract

This chapter outlines how and why so many companies use Microsoft operating systems. Windows 2000 is the current Microsoft operating system, which offers both reliable and business-oriented features that can take advantage of technologies. A company runs Microsoft operating systems in a non-Active Directory environment because (1) it does not have the resources to migrate to Active Directory in a short or even medium term; (2) it has experienced delays in the migration design, testing, and rollout phrase; (3) it has decided not to trust the relatively new technologies of Microsoft, particularly if a working Windows NT 4.0 domain structure is already in place with an alternative directory services infrastructure and the company cannot afford disruption to the everyday running of IT services; and (4) it has decided that the overheads of both upgrading and maintaining Active Directory are not cost-effective when set against its network requirements. These may not be popular decisions with regard to Microsoft's marketing strategy, but they strike a welcome chord of common sense to the one actually working in the field. In fact, Microsoft itself endorses the need for carefully planning the design and thoroughly testing and training before deploying active directory. The bottom line is that it's not good business practice to rush something that will have far-reaching consequences across the enterprise network. It's quite difficult to redress an Active Directory design flaw once it reaches the deployment stage, and Active Directory consultants with experience acknowledge that a design mistake is costly in terms of money, time, and lost productivity—and it certainly doesn't help the confidence factor.