Active Directory (AD)

The Active Directory (AD) of Kiel University is a university-wide Windows network with central administration for users, computers and printers. It contains mechanisms and infrastructures for the centralized administration and maintenance of resources in the Windows network of Kiel University. Users usually have only one (password-protected) access to the AD, through which they can access the distributed resources in the network (for example, file areas or even printers).

The term 'Active Directory' is actually a marketing term coined by Microsoft. Technicians often categorize AD as a so-called directory service.