A directory service is an important part of a distributed computing environment that provides a way to locate and identify the users and resources available in the system. There are a variety of directories available today, including network resource directories such as an LDAP-based directory, DCE Cell Directory Service, Banyan StreetTalk, Microsoft Windows NT operating system Directory Service, and Novell Directory Services. Although a single directory for an entire organization is desirable, no product available today can fill this very large requirement. Multiple directories pose complex challenges to users, administrators, and developers. End users face multiple logons and a variety of interfaces to information across multiple directories.
Administrators face the complexity of managing multiple directories.
Developers must choose a specific directory implementation or support multiple versions of their application. Microsoft Windows NT Directory Service has been available since the first release of Windows NT Server in 1993. Windows NT Directory Service is used by 80 percent of Windows NT Server customers to simplify using and managing their corporate networks. Windows NT Directory Service is based on a secure directory database containing user IDs, passwords, access rights, and organizational information. The directory database can be automatically replicated to multiple locations for backup reliability, load-balancing performance, and reduced network impact.