[Info] New Active Directory features

[fizban2]

On Feb. 14, 2006, Microsoft Corporation announced the vision and roadmap for Active Directory, which includes expanded capabilities that customers will see in future versions of Microsoft Windows Server, starting with the release code named “Longhorn.” Customers, developers, and partners will begin to see these new, richer capabilities in Beta 2 of Windows Server “Longhorn,” which is due in Q2 of this year.

As a first milestone in delivering against this vision, Microsoft is aligning all of the identity and access capabilities available in Windows Server around Active Directory to help customers simplify deployment and administration, lower the total cost of ownership, enhance security, and streamline compliance. This work includes the renaming of several capabilities with the Active Directory brand in Windows Server "Longhorn":

• Active Directory Domain Services, formally Active Directory Domain Controller

• Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services, formerly Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM)

• Active Directory Rights Management Services, formerly Microsoft Windows Rights Management Services (RMS)

• Active Directory Certificate Services, formerly Windows Certificate Services

• Active Directory Metadirectory Services, formerly the Identity Integration Feature Pack (IIFP)

Original At Microsoft

Anyone found anymore information on these, tested some of the feature on longhorn 5270, very cool but do not have enough machine/free time to much heavy testing. Also anymore info on this? sounds like some very cool features being intergrated to AD. Can't wait for the beta 2 of longhorn

[chilifrei64]

just breifly what I saw.. just as I thought you couldnt stuff anything more into group policy configurations.. they added many more options to lock down pc's and configure pc's with group policies..

to name a few.. you dont need to be a script writer to map network drives or install printers at logon anymore.

better power management group policies

added group policies for removeable media

[nmX.Memnoch]

Speaking of Group Policy additions has anyone used PolicyMaker from DesktopStandard? It's supposed to be really nice. I can't make use of it in my environment (long story on the way we're structured), but I have used their legacy ProfileMaker application.

[fizban2]

looked at the link, looks like a very cool piece of software... didn't see a demo version though

[nmX.Memnoch]

You have to request it from them...but they do have one.