One sign-in for the whole college
A college has 500 students and 60 staff. Nobody wants 560 separate lists of passwords on 300 computers.
A domain solves this. One central list holds every account. Every computer asks that list. You change a rule once and it reaches every computer.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Domain | A group of computers and accounts managed together from one place. |
| Directory | The central list of accounts, groups and computers in a domain. |
| Domain controller | The server that holds the directory and checks sign-ins. |
| Group | A set of accounts that share the same rights. |
| Group policy | A set of rules that the domain applies to users or computers. |
| Permission | The right to read, change or run something. |
| Password complexity | A rule that a password needs a mix of capitals, small letters and numbers. |
| Account lockout | A rule that locks an account after too many wrong passwords. |
| Server | A computer that gives data or services to other computers. |
| Malware | Software made to cause harm. |
| Network | Computers and devices joined together so they can share data. |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can explain how a domain applies security controls, and plan groups and policies for a small organisation.
Starter: what you already know
Have a go
Starter: what you already know
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Cycle 1: what a domain does
The domain controller is a server. It holds the directory: every user, group and computer.
When you sign in on any computer in the domain, that computer asks the domain controller. If the answer is yes, you are in.
Microsoft Active Directory Domain Services is a well-known example of this idea. Other products work the same way.
Check: the domain
Have a go
Check: the domain
4 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.