Managing Active Directory with Remote Server Administration Tools

As a system administrator or developer, managing Active Directory (AD) is an essential task. AD provides a centralized repository for storing information about users, groups, and computers on a network. To manage AD effectively, you need the right tools. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use the Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) to manage Active Directory on Windows 7 and later versions.

Introduction to Remote Server Administration Tools

Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) is a set of tools that allows administrators to manage Windows Server roles and features from a remote computer. RSAT includes tools for managing AD, such as the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in, which provides a graphical interface for managing AD objects.

Installing Remote Server Administration Tools

To install RSAT on Windows 7 or later versions, follow these steps:

1. Download the RSAT package from the Microsoft website.
2. Run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
3. Once installed, you need to enable the RSAT features using the following methods:

Method 1: Using the Command Line

Open an elevated command prompt (Run as Administrator) and run the following commands:

dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RemoteServerAdministrationTools
dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RemoteServerAdministrationTools-Roles
dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RemoteServerAdministrationTools-Roles-AD
dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RemoteServerAdministrationTools-Roles-AD-DS
dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:RemoteServerAdministrationTools-Roles-AD-DS-SnapIns

Method 2: Using the Programs and Features Control Panel

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Programs.
2. In the Programs and Features area, click Turn Windows features on or off.
3. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue.
4. In the Windows Features dialog box, expand Remote Server Administration Tools.
5. Select the remote management tools you want to install, including AD DS and AD LDS Tools.

Using the Active Directory Users and Computers Snap-in

Once RSAT is installed and enabled, you can use the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in to manage AD objects. To access the snap-in:

1. Click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Active Directory Users and Computers.
2. In the console tree, navigate to the domain or container you want to manage.
3. Use the snap-in to create, modify, or delete AD objects, such as users, groups, and computers.

Tips and Best Practices

• Make sure to run the command prompt or Programs and Features control panel with elevated privileges (Run as Administrator) to enable RSAT features.
• Restart your computer after installing and enabling RSAT features to ensure they take effect.
• Use the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in to manage AD objects, rather than editing the AD database directly.
• Regularly back up your AD database to prevent data loss in case of a disaster.

By following this tutorial, you should now be able to install and use Remote Server Administration Tools to manage Active Directory on Windows 7 and later versions. Remember to always follow best practices when managing AD to ensure the security and integrity of your network.