Dictionary · Certification Terminology
Domain Controller
Directory · Intermediate
A Windows server that holds a copy of the domain directory and answers logon and directory queries. More than one is used so a single server failure does not stop logons.
It is the server that says whether a domain account is valid. If every copy is down, domain logons fail even though a local account on a laptop might still work.
Example: Two servers in different rooms both hold the directory, so patching one does not prevent employees from signing in.
Common misconception
- A file server is not automatically this role. The role is specifically about the domain directory and logons.