Active Directory depends on certain critical services for
proper operation.The first step in ensuring Active Directory
availability is to monitor these critical services.
Active Directory Monitor monitors the following critical
services
- Server Service that enables the computer to connect to
other computers on the network based on the SMB protocol.
- File Replication Service that maintains file synchronization
of file directory contents among multiple servers.
- DNS Client service that resolves and caches DNS names.
- Security Accounts Manager Service that signals other services
that the Security Accounts Manager subsystem is ready to
accept requests.
- Intersite Messaging Service that is used for email-based
replication between sites.
- Kerberos Key Distribution Center Service that enables
users to log on to the network using Kerberos version 5
authentication protocol.
- Net Logon Service that supports pass-through authentication
of account logon events for computers in a domain.
When any of these services become unavailable, your Active Directory
Server will not be able to perform critical tasks properly.
Domain controller roles perform specific functions in an
Active Directory environment. These specialized roles include
PDC Emulator, Infrastructure Master, RID Master, Domain Naming
Master, and Schema Master. OpManager's Active Directory Monitor
does a good job of identifying the roles assigned to the server
in the network.