Introduction
Active Directory (AD) and Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) are Microsoft's offerings for directory services, able to manage digital identities, resources, and relationships in both on-premises and cloud environments. These robust platforms serve as the backbone for many businesses worldwide.
Active Directory. Powering Business Networks
Brief History and Evolution
Active Directory was first launched by Microsoft in 1999 as a part of Windows 2000 Server. Today, it is baked into every modern Windows system. Its primary function is to provide centralized domain management, allowing systems connected to the same network to access and share information securely.
Active Directory has evolved over the years, with updates and new features added in every new version of Windows Server to handle advanced service management tasks for larger and more diverse networks.
Need for Active Directory
Active Directory is an integral part of any organization’s IT infrastructure as it helps manage resources like user accounts, computers, printers, servers, databases, security certificates, and other resources. It helps consolidate these resources for easy access and management, and also helps establish and enforce security policies network-wide.
Drawbacks
Active Directory can become complex as businesses scale and is highly susceptible to security vulnerabilities given its critical role. Moreover, as it is designed for on-premise use, out-of-the-box it lacks the flexibility to manage resources spread out across different networks or in the cloud.
Azure Active Directory. Carrying Directory Services to the Cloud
Brief History and Evolution
Azure Active Directory is Microsoft's multi-tenant, cloud-based directory, and identity management service. Introduced in 2013, Azure AD combines core directory services with advanced identity governance, security, and application access features.
Need for Azure AD
Azure AD is a robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution designed to serve the needs of modern businesses. It helps manage and provide secure access to applications hosted in the cloud, enables single-sign-on (SSO), facilitates multi-factor authentication, and offers advanced security and usage reporting features. It allows access to various integrated software as a service (SaaS) applications like Office 365, Salesforce.com, Dropbox, and more.
Drawbacks
Despite the advantages, Azure AD might not be the best solution for small organizations that don’t utilize many cloud applications. It can be a bit of overkill and potentially expensive for small networks. Also, it requires a fair amount of technical knowledge to set up and manage.
Conclusion. From Active Directory to Azure Active Directory
The shift from traditional on-premise infrastructures to cloud-based solutions is a defining characteristic of modern IT departments. In this context, Azure Active Directory serves as a robust upgrade to Active Directory, providing advanced features designed for managing identities and providing secure access across a wide range of cloud applications.
Choosing between Active Directory and Azure Active Directory depends on the organization's needs. For businesses deeply ingrained in the Windows ecosystem with most of their workloads running on-premises, Active Directory could be the best choice. On the other hand, organizations with many cloud-based applications and remote employees might find Azure AD better tailored to their needs. Finally, for organizations operating in both spaces, Active Directory and Azure Active Directory can work together to provide a comprehensive identity solution.