Advanced Active Directory Configuration Guide

1. Implementing Fine-Grained Password Policies

Fine-grained password policies allow you to set different password and account lockout policies for different sets of users in a domain.

Open "Active Directory Administrative Center"
Navigate to System > Password Settings Container
Right-click and select "New" > "Password Settings"
Configure the policy settings and assign to specific groups or users

Example PowerShell command to create a new policy:

New-ADFineGrainedPasswordPolicy -Name "HighSecurityPolicy" -Precedence 50 -MinPasswordLength 14 -ComplexityEnabled $true

2. Configuring Read-Only Domain Controllers (RODCs)

RODCs are useful for branch offices or locations with lower physical security.

Run adprep /rodcprep on the Schema Master
Create an RODC account using Server Manager or PowerShell
Configure Password Replication Policy
Set up DNS for the RODC

PowerShell command to create an RODC account:

Add-ADDSReadOnlyDomainControllerAccount -DomainControllerAccountName RODC01 -DomainName contoso.com -SiteName "BranchOffice"

3. Implementing Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS)

AD FS provides single sign-on and secure identity federation.

Install the AD FS role through Server Manager
Configure AD FS using the AD FS Configuration Wizard
Set up claims rules and relying party trusts
Configure multi-factor authentication (optional)

PowerShell command to check AD FS service status:

Get-AdfsProperties

4. Implementing Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)

AD CS allows you to create and manage public key infrastructure (PKI) certificates.

Install the AD CS role through Server Manager
Configure Certificate Authority (CA) using the configuration wizard
Set up certificate templates
Configure auto-enrollment policies

PowerShell command to view installed certification authorities:

Get-CATemplate

5. Implementing Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS)

AD RMS provides persistent data protection for documents and emails.

Install the AD RMS role through Server Manager
Configure AD RMS using the configuration wizard
Set up rights policy templates
Configure client deployment

PowerShell command to get AD RMS service information:

Get-AdrmsServiceInformation

6. Implementing Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS)

AD LDS provides directory services for applications that don't require the full functionality of AD DS.

Install the AD LDS role through Server Manager
Create and configure AD LDS instances
Set up partitions and import LDIF files if needed

PowerShell command to create a new AD LDS instance:

dsdbutil "create instance LDSInstance"

Warning:

These advanced configurations can significantly impact your Active Directory environment. Always test in a non-production environment first and ensure you have proper backups before implementing any changes.