Overview: Each Student Will Create A Detailed, Organi 372093

Overvieweach Student Will Create A Detailed Organized Unified Techni

Overview each student will create a detailed, organized, unified technical solution given the scenario described below. The submission will be in a written format, with at least one diagram, and may include additional diagrams, charts or tables. The assignment is meant for students to enhance their mastery of the material and to provide a creative and realistic way in which to apply knowledge from this course.

Scenario:

Open Windows (referred to as “OW”) has hired you as an IT consultant for their Windows network services infrastructure. OW is a new advertising firm, with staff located in two sites, and they need their internal IT services configured. They have an IT staff but lack in-house expertise for their current infrastructure needs. Your task is to develop a solution that addresses the integration and configuration of their Active Directory updates.

OW wishes to implement the “right” solution to manage their acquisition of a new company whose Active Directory forest comprises a single domain. The primary domain is based out of Houston, TX, running Windows Server 2016 at the Windows Server 2016 functional level. The acquired company, Media Guru Group located in Richmond, VA, has a domain with Windows Server 2012 domain controllers.

Organization Details:

  • OW has 110 employees across Houston and Richmond sites.
  • Departments in each location include Executives (9 total: 5 in Houston, 4 in Richmond), Accounts and Sales (30 total: 15 in each city), Creative, Media and Production (49 employees in Houston), Human Resources and Finances (12 employees in Houston), and IT (10 employees: 5 in each location).
  • Networking equipment for both sites is already in place, and the sites are separated Active Directory Domains.
  • Security mechanisms like firewalls and intrusion detection are handled separately.
  • Some departments require data privacy from others (e.g., Finances not wanting Production staff to see financial details).

Assumptions regarding data sharing and privacy are permitted, but all assumptions should be clearly specified.

Assignment Requirements:

Your final submission should be between approximately 8 to 12 pages of student-written text, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins, and in 12-point Times New Roman font. It must include:

  • A title page.
  • At least one diagram illustrating components such as Active Directory architecture, DHCP/DNS design, or other relevant engineering diagrams.
  • Comprehensive coverage of all major topics outlined below, with technical and business justifications.
  • Optional additional diagrams, images, and tables to enhance clarity.
  • Proper APA citations for at least two credible scholarly, best-practice, or Microsoft content sources.

The paper should be organized into clear sections, each addressing specific areas outlined below, leading to a cohesive, unified technical solution.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a comprehensive Active Directory and Windows Server 2016 infrastructure for OW involves multiple interrelated components. The initial steps are to understand the existing environment, define the integration strategy with the acquired company's domain, and detail the technical deployment plan. Key considerations include Active Directory structure, trust relationships, site topology, security, and additional Windows Server features to support the organization’s needs effectively.

Active Directory Infrastructure

Given OW's existing environment, the deployment of Active Directory (AD) utilizing Windows Server 2016 features provides scalability, security, and flexibility. The integration of Media Guru Group’s Windows Server 2012 domain into OW’s existing domain infrastructure requires strategic planning. The foremost decision is whether to expand the existing forest or establish trust relationships, which hinges on organizational policies and administrative preferences.

Utilizing Windows Server 2016 allows OW to leverage advanced features such as Automatic Site Coverage, Group Policy Management, and fine-tuned replication controls. Across the two sites, creating site objects in Active Directory Sites and Services improves replication efficiency and client authentication. Implementing a consolidated global catalog server at a central location ensures swift directory data access for users across sites.

The functional level should be upgraded from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2016 for the entire forest to unlock features like Privileged Access Management, nested multi-valued group support, and improved security protocols. The forest functional level must be set at Windows Server 2016 after confirming all domain controllers support this level.

Trusts and Forest Functional Levels

Cross-forest trust relationships facilitate resource sharing between OW and Media Guru Group. Establishing an Active Directory forest trust ensures authorized access without consolidating domains into a single forest, thus maintaining administrative boundaries and security policies. A two-way, transitive trust is recommended to allow mutual resource access while preserving sovereignty.

Boosting forest functional levels to Windows Server 2016 enhances trust security, enabling features like constrained delegation, and improves administrative management. Trusts can be configured as Forest Trusts with selective authentication to restrict access privileges per department or user group.

Replication and Site Topology

Replication topology must be optimized using Active Directory Sites and Services. Designated site links with scheduled replication intervals prevent bandwidth overloads and ensure data consistency. Implementing least-delay replication over high-bandwidth links, with site link bridges managed to reduce unnecessary traffic, ensures reliable communication between sites.

Read-only Domain Controllers (RODCs) should be deployed at strategic locations, especially in remote or less secure locations, to enhance security and reduce replication traffic. The placement depends on physical security considerations, Internet connectivity, and organizational policies. RODCs support branch cache functionality, aiding in authentication and incremental updates without exposing the full domain controller.

Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)

AD CS helps in managing digital certificates for secure communications, authentication, and data integrity across the enterprise. Both domains should evaluate whether to deploy secondary CA hierarchy roles, such as subordinate CAs, to segment certificate issuing policies according to security levels or departmental needs.

In the merged environment, existing AD CS configurations might require updating, including issuing policies and templates. These modifications ensure compliance with security standards and enable features like secure LDAP, email security, and network device authentication.

Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)

Implementing AD RMS enhances data protection by enabling rights management features tailored to departmental needs. Finances can restrict document access, while Creative teams can share creative assets securely. Using AD RMS policies ensures that sensitive data remains accessible only to authorized personnel, even if data is leaked outside the organization.

Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)

AD FS facilitates secure, seamless access to external resources and cloud services, such as Microsoft 365 or other SaaS providers. Deploying AD FS in the hybrid environment enables OW to utilize Single Sign-On (SSO), reducing administrative overhead and improving user experience across multiple platforms.

Configuring claims-based authentication and establishing trust with cloud providers ensures data security while leveraging cloud capabilities. This integration supports remote workforce needs and expands collaboration options, vital for a modern advertising firm.

Domain and Forest Model

A logical model involves a two-domain structure—one for Houston and one for Richmond—connected through trust relationships. This model allows departmental segregation, security policies customization, and centralized management of user accounts and policies.

The domain controllers should be placed strategically, with domain controllers in each site, including RODCs for security. FSMO roles should be assigned based on organizational topology: Schema Master and Domain Naming Master centrally located; RID, PDC, and Infrastructure Masters distributed to optimize replication and administrative responsibilities.

Backup and Recovery

Implementing robust Active Directory backup strategies involves regular system state backups and disaster recovery planning. Utilizing Windows Server Backup, backup schedules should be aligned with organizational policy, with off-site copies stored securely. Recovery procedures must include authoritative restore capabilities to repair accidental deletions or corruptions quickly.

Group Policy and Additional Windows Server Features

Group Policy plays a vital role in standardizing configurations, enforcing security settings, and deploying software. Group Policy Objects (GPOs) should be created per department—e.g., financial controls, creative environment restrictions, and general security policies.

Features such as Web Application Proxy (WAP) can be utilized if OW chooses to host internal web applications accessible externally, providing secure reverse proxy services to protect internal assets. Careful planning ensures these features align with overall security and organizational requirements.

Conclusion

In conclusion, designing a unified, scalable, and secure Active Directory infrastructure for OW requires leveraging the advanced features of Windows Server 2016. Strategic site topology, trust relationships, and control placements underpin effective management and security. Additional features like AD CS, AD RMS, and AD FS bolster security, compliance, and external collaboration, supporting OW’s growth and operational needs. Proper planning, implementation, and ongoing management ensure a resilient environment capable of supporting current and future organizational challenges.

References

  • Microsoft. (2018). Active Directory Domain Services Overview. Microsoft Documentation. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/get-started/overview
  • Microsoft. (2021). Deploying Active Directory Certificate Services. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/enterprise/active-directory-certificate-services
  • Wuerthner, M. (2019). Mastering Active Directory Management. Queue Magazine. https://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=3336110
  • Sander Berkouwer. (2020). Active Directory Security Best Practices. TechNet. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh994618.aspx
  • United States Computer Security Resource Center. (2020). Principles of Security and Privacy of AD. NIST Special Publication 800-53. https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-53/rev-5/final
  • Anderson, K. (2019). Designing and Implementing Active Directory Topology. TechTarget. https://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/feature/Designing-and-implementing-Active-Directory-topology
  • Mitchell, T. (2021). Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) Insights. Microsoft Tech Community. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/identity-uga/active-directory-federation-services-ad-fs/ba-p/2243810
  • Glen, T. (2017). Windows Server 2016: Features and Deployment. ITPro Today. https://www.itprotoday.com/windows-server/windows-server-2016-features-and-deployment
  • Microsoft. (2022). Planning for a Hybrid Identity Deployment. Microsoft Docs. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/hybrid/plan-hybrid-identity
  • Johnson, L. (2020). Best Practices for Active Directory Backup and Recovery. Windows IT Pro. https://www.windowsitpro.com/active-directory/best-practices-active-directory-backup-and-recovery

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