DEEP CORE BOOK

Active Directory Deep Core Book

A modern textbook covering AD design, controllers, objects, Group Policy, DNS, authentication, auditing, recovery, schema and automation.

Netcomtech Deep Core

Preface

The supplied Active Directory Cookbook is organized as a broad task-oriented reference covering forests and domains, domain controllers, objects, OUs, users, groups, computers, Group Policy, schema, sites, replication, DNS, permissions, auditing, recovery, application partitions and integration. This book keeps that breadth but updates the teaching for current Windows Server.

This book is original Netcomtech training material. The supplied historical PDFs are used to identify the subject breadth and operational questions worth teaching, while current implementation guidance is checked against current Microsoft documentation.

Read it in order if the subject is new. Experienced administrators can use the chapters as a reference manual.

Chapters

Chapter 1

Active Directory Forest, Domain and Trust Design Deep Core

Deep technical guide to Active Directory forests, domains, DNS namespaces, trusts and logical design.

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Chapter 2

Domain Controllers, Global Catalog, FSMO and Replication Deep Core

Deep guide to domain controllers, global catalog, FSMO roles, replication, sites and resilience.

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Chapter 3

Active Directory Objects, OUs, Users, Groups and Computers Deep Core

Comprehensive guide to Active Directory objects, LDAP identity, OUs, users, groups, computers and lifecycle administration.

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Chapter 4

Group Policy Deep Core

Deep guide to Group Policy design, scope, processing, filtering, troubleshooting and safe change control.

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Chapter 5

Active Directory DNS, Kerberos and Delegated Permissions Deep Core

Deep guide to AD-integrated DNS, DC Locator, Kerberos authentication, delegated administration and directory permissions.

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Chapter 6

Active Directory Auditing, Diagnostics and Recovery Deep Core

Deep guide to AD auditing, diagnostics, Recycle Bin, backup, domain-controller recovery and incident evidence.

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Chapter 7

Active Directory Schema, Application Data and PowerShell Automation Deep Core

Deep guide to Active Directory schema, partitions, application integration and safe PowerShell automation.

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ADVANCED OPERATIONS

Additional Active Directory chapters

Advanced Chapter 13

Active Directory Permissions, ACLs and Delegation Deep Core

Deep guide to Active Directory security descriptors, ACL inheritance, delegated administration and least-privilege directory operations.

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Advanced Chapter 14

Active Directory Application Partitions and DNS Data Deep Core

Deep guide to Active Directory application directory partitions, replication scope and AD-integrated DNS storage.

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Advanced Chapter 15

Service Accounts, SPNs and gMSA Deep Core

Deep guide to Windows service identities, service principal names, managed service accounts and safer application authentication.

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Advanced Chapter 16

Active Directory Health Baseline and Maintenance Deep Core

Deep operational guide to routine Active Directory health checks, replication baselines, DNS checks, capacity, time and maintenance evidence.

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