Directory and Identity Services

Microsoft® Active Directory® is a directory service that provides the foundation for distributed networks built on Microsoft Windows ® 2000 and later domain controllers. The Active Directory APIs provide access to the data stored in a directory. Directory Access Technologies include Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI), System.DirectoryServices (SDS), and Directory Services Markup Language (DSML) Services for Windows.

Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM) is an independent mode of Active Directory that provides dedicated directory services for applications. The conceptual and programmatic compatibility of ADAM with Active Directory makes ADAM ideal for applications that require directory services, but do not require the complete infrastructure features of Active Directory.

Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003 creates and distributes an integrated view of identity information from multiple data sources. Microsoft Identity Integration Server 2003 enables organizations to combine information into a single logical view that represents all of the identity information for a given user or resource.

• Directory Services Documentation
• Identity Services Documentation
• Active Directory Schema Documentation
• Schema Documentation Program
• Glossary
• Code Samples

• Active Directory Technology Center
• Active Directory Application Mode Technology Center
• MIIS 2003 Technology Center
• Identity Management Technology Center
• The MSDN Show: Active Directory
• Integrating Applications with Windows 2000 and Active Directory
• Applications Using Active Directory
• Support Resources
• Active Directory Development Newsgroup
• Directory Services Community Center