Tech Tip: Get to know Microsoft's Active Directory Application in Windows Server 2003

by Guest Contributor | Jul 30, 2004 7:56:00 PM

Tags: Guest Contributor, Windows Server 2003 Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Learn about Microsoft's Active Directory Application.

Microsoft developed the Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) to meet the needs of developers, software vendors, and client organizations that need a more flexible directory architecture. Unlike Active Directory, which runs as a system service and can only run on a domain controller, ADAM is a user-mode service that can run on any Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP system--even Windows Server 2003 systems that aren't domain controllers.

A lot of confusion exists about the benefits provided by ADAM. Here's a list of some of the business problems you can use ADAM to solve:

• A software vendor wants to produce a directory-enabled application that doesn't interfere with or disrupt an organization's existing Active Directory, NDS, or LDAP infrastructure.
• A software vendor wants to produce a directory-enabled application that organizations can deploy in an environment that doesn't have an enterprise directory.
• A business unit wants to manage unit-specific directory schema extensions that could prove difficult to install across the organization.
• An application developer wants to develop a directory-enabled application but doesn't want to work directly with the company's Active Directory.
• An application developer wants to develop a directory-enabled application but doesn't want to take the time to design a full Active Directory implementation for development purposes.

Each of these scenarios presents a perfect business case for ADAM. For more information, visit the Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Application Mode Web page.