What is Active Directory?

Active Directory is the integrated, distributed directory service that is included with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. By creating a link between user accounts, mailbox accounts, and applications, Active Directory simplifies the task of adding, modifying, and deleting user accounts on your network.

Active Directory is stored on a single or a collection of Domain Controllers within a Forest known as the Active Directory Forest. Domains can be split into Sites that service particular location based requirements.

AD makes use of a multi master replication strategy that replicates data held in each AD to every Domain Controller within the Forest. In addition Active Directory creates a Global Catalogue that contains all object information for the entire directory which is replicated to each DC that is targeted as being a Global Catalogue Server.

The multi master replication technology built in to Active Directory helps to ensure that in the event of a failure of a domain controller, Active Directories information remains intact having been replicated to all other DC’s in the domain.

What is ActiveDR?

A unique managed service where we replicate your Active Directory in our data centre, monitor and maintain it.

Who is it for?

ActiveDR is for small to medium sized companies using Active Directory that are unable to host a domain controller at an alternative location or who do not have the skills to restore an Active Directory in the event of failure.

Why do I need to replicate my Active Directory? Can’t I just take a back up?

Active Directory is a critical service for the modern Windows Domain and its availability is vital to proper operation of the IT environment.

Active Directory is constantly replicating objects; therefore taking a backup of the directory structures is difficult because the moment the backup is taken (which is an instant snapshot) it is out of date. Therefore replicating Active Directory to an offsite location is sensible because that the replication of objects ensures that the database is always current.

How is this different from the traditional Disaster Recovery solutions?

Typically when buying a Disaster Recovery solution the supplier provides Servers in a vehicle that turns up on site with computers ready for the installation of Operating Systems and the restoration of data from a tape backup or similar.

Most IT managers now recognise that this type of service is impractical because the most important information required to rebuild the domain is held in Active Directory which is rarely backed up (see above section). This creates the initial building block to a successful DR solution.

Creating and maintaining a disaster recovery plan can be a complex and time-consuming business. Furthermore, traditional business continuity software and mobile solutions simply cannot provide all the details you need to create, monitor and maintain sophisticated Information Availability strategies.

TSGI’s solution is unique because we hold your Active Directory and the restoration of critical business data of your environment post disaster does not require hardware specific full and system back up’s. TSGI can create and re-create servers and services at will in preparation for the restoration of previously backed up data.

It is critical however that back ups are performed regularly and are able to be resolved by the customer.

Need a disaster recovery solution for your Active Directory?

For more information and to discuss your require-ments please call us on 08707 520570 or fill in our contact form.