Active Directory (AD) plays an essential role in an organization’s IT infrastructure. It is a centralized database that controls compliance policies, user access control, and storage of company resources such as printers, servers, and files. Managing Active Directory is a crucial task that IT administrators focus on every day. Thankfully, several Active Directory Management Tools are available in the market today to ease Active Directory Management processes. In this article, we will look at the most effective active directory management tools.
SolarWinds Server and Application Monitor:
SolarWinds SAM is an excellent Active Directory Management Tool that IT administrators use to monitor and manage Active Directory performance. This tool allows you to monitor the Active Directory Replication performance, Domain Name System (DNS) performance, and the global catalog performance. SAM also provides a visual representation of the Active Directory replication topology. Additionally, it monitors the Active Directory overall health, ensuring prompt diagnosis and repair of issues.
Netwrix Auditor:
Netwrix Auditor simplifies Enterprise IT procedures by enabling IT administrators to manage user accounts, configure Group Policy, and protect against unauthorized access. This tool also helps organizations adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by enforcing data protection policies. Further, Netwrix Auditor provides detailed reports on Active Directory pre- and post-change audits. These reports allow you to track any deviation from setup regulations and ensure compliance.
ManageEngine ADManager Plus:
ADManager Plus is another Active Directory Management Tool designed to centralize Active Directory management. This tool offers extensive automation features that allow you to execute routine Active Directory management tasks swiftly. Additionally, ADManager Plus enables administrators to manage security groups, user attributes, and automatically reset passwords for users. The accessibility and user-friendly interface make this tool ideal for IT administrators of all skill levels.
Quest Active Roles:
Active Roles streamlines Active Directory management tasks like add, delete, move, and modify directory objects. The tool enhances Active Directory security by automating the process of updating group memberships and unifying and maintaining multiple user accounts. Quest Active Roles also provides a graphical view of your security and ensures your organization adheres to policies.
ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus:
ADSelfService Plus is widely utilised by IT administrators to empower end-users and reduce the workload on the IT help desk. This Active Directory Management Tool automates password changes, password resets, and account unlock tasks. Additionally, this tool can eliminate a tedious process of unlocking users’ accounts by incorporating user security-related functionality and enabling users to handle their user accounts.
Conclusion:
The above-mentioned Active Directory Management Tools increase the accuracy and efficiency of an organization’s IT infrastructure management procedures. Efficient Active Directory Management is critical to ensure the smooth running of your organization’s daily operations. The tools mentioned here are user-friendly, easily accessible, and offer automation features that reduce an IT administrator’s workload. Most of all, these tools ensure data security and enforce compliance policies, ensuring an organization runs smoothly while avoiding potential legal issues.
