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Benjamin Mpolokoso - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager ICT at NJIT
Real User
A scalable solution with excellent features that enable easy integration into other directories
Pros and Cons
  • "It's quite easy to integrate into other directories."
  • "The product must provide remote password reset features."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for Wi-Fi and logging in students and staff on the network.

What is most valuable?

It's quite easy to integrate into other directories. It allows us to avoid creating other databases. We just replicate the SAM database into other applications requiring users to log in.

What needs improvement?

The product must provide remote password reset features. Users would want to reset their passwords wherever they are. We've never really had a simple solution where resets could be done remotely other than using third-party applications. We've had to create a third-party application for password resets.

The cloud-based solution was not so easy to deploy. The product should improve Active Directory replication into the cloud. The setup is not seamless. If we set up an AD on-prem and want to deploy it in the cloud, the synchronization setup is not very easy. The product should improve the synchronization between on-prem and cloud servers. The setup is quite complex. It would be helpful to set up a cloud server and link it to the same domain.

The active directory synchronization must be instant. It would be a great improvement if the process were automated. If I go into the cloud and set up a new Active Directory server, and link it to a specific domain, the synchronization should be the way it is on-prem. When I set up a new server on-prem and connect it to the domain, all the users move immediately.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for ten years.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Active Directory
August 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Active Directory. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The tool is very scalable. Around 3000 people are using the solution in our organization. It is extensively used in our organization.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. The deployment took less than two days.

What about the implementation team?

We did the deployment in-house. The process to deploy comes built into the Windows Server setup. It's one of the easiest services to set up. We need a manager, a systems engineer, and two developers to deploy and maintain the product.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The license per user can probably be reduced. However, the server license is okay. The license fee is paid based on the new release of Windows Server.

What other advice do I have?

We integrated the product into LDAP, which is Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. I would recommend the solution to others. It is easy to deploy the tool on-prem. Overall, I rate the product a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
SHUBHAM BHINGARDE - PeerSpot reviewer
Project Engineer at CDAC
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Though the tool is easy to use, it may sometimes restrict the use of some of its features
Pros and Cons
  • "The user interface of the product is very easy to use."
  • "Microsoft Active Directory restricts most of the features our company's employees want to use since they are involved in research and development activities."

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that it is very easy to use. The user interface of the product is very easy to use.

What needs improvement?

Most of the features of the product are not implemented in our company because every employee is involved in their own research and development activities. Microsoft Active Directory restricts most of the features our company's employees want to use since they are involved in research and development activities. The tool should not restrict functions or features for users, and it can be considered as an area for improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Active Directory since 2013.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Every person in my company, which includes around 800 employees, uses the solution.

The tool is extensively used, and there are plans to increase the use of the solution in the future.

How was the initial setup?

The product's initial setup phase was straightforward.

The solution is deployed on an on-premises model.

There are people working on three or four levels in our company involved in the deployment and maintenance process, which includes a manager, a project leader, a project engineer, and a junior engineer.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment process can be carried out with the help of our company's in-house team.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

As per the market standard, I would want the current prices of the product to remain the same.

What other advice do I have?

The solution streamlined our company's user management and authentication since it helps us to monitor user activities.

The solution's ability to support our organization's device and user access control stems from the fact that there is a need for us to manage the hierarchy in our company. My company has different hierarchies, so we have used Microsoft Active Directory to manage the hierarchy level in our organization.

I recommended the product to those who plan to use it to use the tool to monitor and analyze the use of devices and data by employees.

The solution's scalability and maintenance help grow our business environment. Since we are an organization that works five days a week, the maintenance part is taken care of on Saturdays or Sundays, which may fall on the second or fourth week of the month. My company regularly maintains and updates the product.

The benefit from the use of the product stems from the fact that it helps our company to monitor and verify the details of employees.

I rate the tool a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Active Directory
August 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Active Directory. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Markus Günther - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Architect Active Directory at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 10
Can be used to manage computer accounts and build roles and permissions
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to install and has good reliability."
  • "The solution could be made more safe by using authentication mechanisms."

What is our primary use case?

I use Microsoft Active Directory as the first line in the LDAP directory. You can use the solution to manage computer accounts, user accounts, and other objects. You can also use Microsoft Active Directory to build roles and permissions.

What is most valuable?

The solution is widely used in Microsoft environments, where you use computers with the Microsoft OS. The solution is easy to install and has good reliability. With Microsoft Active Directory, you won't have any problems if one of the domain controllers is damaged. The tools you use to maintain and manage Microsoft Active Directory are not complicated.

What needs improvement?

The solution could be made more safe by using authentication mechanisms. We often have to deal with security issues.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Active Directory for 20 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution has some bugs, but from my point of view, they are not really important.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

More than 1,00,000 users are using the solution in our organization.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Microsoft Active Directory is not an expensive solution. You have to buy the Windows OS licenses, but you don't have to pay any additional product licenses for Active Directory.

What other advice do I have?

You have to build an environment after considering all your requirements. It is really important to consider your organizational structure and the possibilities of the tools you use to authenticate against Active Directory. Microsoft Active Directory is so easy to install. You can promote the domain controller and then have an Active Directory.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Security Manager at Yarix S.r.l.
Real User
Top 10Leaderboard
Manages credentials, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and network infrastructure and supports network management and security
Pros and Cons
  • "Active Directory plays a focal point in security management, encompassing aspects like credential management, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and the network infrastructure of customers."
  • "I would like to see more integration with cloud-based applications. This would make it easier to manage users and devices across multiple platforms."

What is our primary use case?

Active Directory can be useful as an identity provider and management solution. It helps network managers with the entire user lifecycle, from creation to termination. This includes the provisioning process, the accounting process, and the authorization process. By centralizing user management, Active Directory can help improve security.

How has it helped my organization?

Active Directory plays a focal point in security management, encompassing aspects like credential management, lifecycle, dynamic provisioning, and the network infrastructure of customers.

Our work pertains to security applications, not system management. In essence, it's about Microsoft's Active Directory, not Microsoft System. We are all collectively interested in its potential.

What is most valuable?

I like the integration with the Microsoft suite of products. This makes it easy to create a unified and centrally managed network.

What needs improvement?

I would like to see more integration with cloud-based applications. This would make it easier to manage users and devices across multiple platforms.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Active Directory for more than ten years. We consistently upgrade our server system to incorporate the new version, ensuring that we operate with the most recent release.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There were no problems with scalability. We could manage networks of hundreds and thousands of users. 

Everyone in our organization is using this solution. We use this solution regularly. 

How are customer service and support?

The support is quite good, but usually, we don't need to reach out to Microsoft's support directly because most issues can be resolved through our integrator. It's one of the standout aspects of this solution in the world. We easily find the solutions. 

How was the initial setup?

The setup is not as straightforward as I would like it to be. It was a lot more complex to configure the console in Active Directory. 

What about the implementation team?

The deployment process depends on the features you want to implement and the size of the network. In general, it can take a few days to a few weeks to deploy Active Directory.

We deploy and manage Active Directory in-house, but we do use a system integrator for some specific tasks, such as designing the Active Directory infrastructure.  While we provide recommendations and implement certain functionalities, our customers are responsible for direct management, sometimes with the support of an integrator for tasks beyond their expertise. 

To activate the Active Directory feature, you need to establish a controlled system. This involves creating a forest and distinguishing between various active directory instances and different forests. 

Additionally, user insertion is essential, along with segmenting users and resources into distinct groups. Configuration is necessary for each parameter, from account metering to endpoint management. Ultimately, consolidation must be achieved. This process is complex and time-consuming.

Therefore, the number of people required for maintenance and deployment depends on the complexity and the size. It requires us to map out the architecture accurately. The infrastructure includes both managerial and technical roles.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's not overly expensive. It's considered a base function by Microsoft. We're required to pay for the license, which is based on the frequency of service usage. It's on a yearly basis.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution a ten out of ten. 

I suggest managing security aspects since it serves as a focal point for managing credentials and financial operations. A keen focus is essential.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Devops consultant at Siemens Healthineers
Real User
Highly customizable installation and good stability and performance, minimal downtime
Pros and Cons
  • "Stability and performance are good. So far, we have not observed any major downtime or performance issues since we deployed it."
  • "There is room for improvement in the support."

What is our primary use case?

We use it to manage the users to start with and to add on security and networks. Whatnot, you can do is authentication, multifactor authentication, enabling user access externally is also possible. We also use it for federation service. So far, we are using all the features of AD. 

What is most valuable?

We are using most of the features because we are a large organization. So we need those kinds of services or features coming for enterprise versions, and we use most of it because we are 20,000+ people.

What needs improvement?

There is room for improvement in the support. For many use cases, we get good support; for some, we don't.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for 20 years. 

I'm using the latest version, which is Active Directory, in the cloud.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability and performance are good. So far, we have not observed any major downtime or performance issues since we deployed it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is highly scalable. There are around 20,000+ users using AD in our organization. The number of users keeps increasing according to our requirements. 

How are customer service and support?

We use the support frequently whenever we find a problem with the given feature or the used feature.

The response is good. Sometimes they slip the SLA or whatever, so we discuss it.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is pretty straightforward. It is very customizable as well as very easy to install or leverage the features of AD.

What about the implementation team?

To deploy AD, it took not more than two days because we needed to extend from AD to AD. So we just wanted to figure out which power start domain to choose from and then do it.

Moreover, there is a separate team involved in the deployment and maintenance of the solution.We have a combination of managers, engineers, developers, etc.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We used Bamboo Tableau charts, but we are not using it anymore. We moved to Azure DevOps, so we use the entire suite of DevOps tools. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten. I would definitely recommend using the solution.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
IT Engineer at United Nations
Real User
Is easy to use, but can be restricted to the specific local area networks
Pros and Cons
  • "It is easy to handle, and it gives a hundred percent results with the group policies."
  • "If you are using the Active Directory, the main concern is that the policy is restricted to the specific local area network."

What is our primary use case?

We use Microsoft Active Directory as an identity provider. Active Directory checks users and accounts.

How has it helped my organization?

It is extremely easy to use compared to the other identity providers. It also allows us to have group policies for all sorts of authentication. It also supports Cisco's 802.1X authentication. Moreover, it’s easy to integrate with any kind of product that will support Active Directory authentication.

What is most valuable?

It is mostly useful for its group policies. We can achieve everything with it, including some kind of restrictions on the users or servers. It is easy to handle, and it gives a hundred percent results with the group policies. Also, there has been significant improvement with the newer version, especially for Active Directory 2016.

What needs improvement?

Most of the features which are required for the active directory are already introduced into the Azure Active Directory. If you are using the Active Directory, the main concern is that the policy is restricted to the specific local area network. The users may not be in that specific local area network, like the office network, and won't get the updates and new policies.

However, upgrading is not easy because it has to come in a hierarchy from top to bottom. If you are a global administrator and have limited rights, it might be difficult as you are responsible for the whole entity. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Active Directory for seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution. Azure Active Directory has a very high SLA, but the local active directories face update issues. Those issues need configuring and that is the reason I am giving it a seven out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's easy to scale and in my organization, almost 7,000 users are using this solution. Currently, we are downsizing in Africa and might shift to Azure Active Directory. However, the data is on the cloud, so it won’t affect the processing. I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten. 

How was the initial setup?

My overall experience with the initial setup is satisfactory. My job role and use of Active Directory is very limited to using it as an identity source. At the moment, it is a hybrid model. We have on-premises and private cloud solutions internally. Currently, we are doing an assessment with Azure and AWS and might go with Azure. 

It takes two days maximum to deploy. In our case, we already had the solutions in place. We need to give the Wi-Fi authentication to either a VIP user or a standard user. We define the active directory groups, and out of those specific groups, we ground the access accordingly. I rate the initial setup a seven out of ten.

What other advice do I have?

If the data is not that confidential, a company can choose a cloud solution like Active Directory. I would rate the solution a seven out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Harrison Bulley - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Infrastructure Engineer at Net Consulting
Real User
Leaderboard
Stable solution with efficient access control features
Pros and Cons
  • "It is a scalable solution."
  • "The solution needs to be simplified to navigate."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution to control environments for different servers.

What is most valuable?

The solution's most valuable feature is access control and integration with different applications.

What needs improvement?

The solution is complicated to navigate. We encounter issues while changing the settings. They should improve these particular features.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using the solution for seven or eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is relatively stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution. We can create multiple active directories using it.

How was the initial setup?

The complexity of the solution's initial setup process depends on the environment. It takes a couple of weeks for simple setups and around a month for complicated structures.

What about the implementation team?

We implement the solution with the help of our in-house team.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We have to purchase a license for the solution.

What other advice do I have?

I rate the solution a nine out of ten. It works well in terms of functions and regular backups of the configuration.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Ashutosh Naik  - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Analyst at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Vendor
A cost-efficient tool which is a must for those using Windows-based operating systems
Pros and Cons
  • "The scalability of the solution is high...The initial setup of the solution is easy, and I would rate it an eight or nine out of ten on a scale of one to ten, where one being difficult and ten being easy."
  • "In the solution, assigning permissions is complex, making it difficult to grant them at a granular level or to multiple users without templates or alternative tools."

What is our primary use case?

Microsoft Active Directory is used to centrally manage all objects and provide access. It also serves as the authentication mechanism for most of our Windows and non-Windows applications using Kerberos. User and device management are also handled through Active Directory.

What is most valuable?

One of the most valuable features of the solution that I like is that it allows our company to apply GPOs properly to many users.

What needs improvement?

The GUI of Microsoft Active Directory is very basic. At our company, we can go for automation since we don't have many tasks. In the solution, assigning permissions is complex, making it difficult to grant them at a granular level or to multiple users without templates or alternative tools. Although achieving the RBAC or Zero Trust model is challenging due to the same limitations in Microsoft Active Directory, third-party tools are available to assist with this task. Even the Native Azure AD does not have these capabilities.

For how long have I used the solution?

I do have experience with Microsoft Active Directory. Our company is a customer of the solution. Also, I have been using this solution for maybe eight to ten years. I am using the solution's latest version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

For stability, on a scale where one is not stable and ten is very stable, I rate this solution a seven since there are issues. The solution has its own set of issues concerning patches, compatibility issues, and a few more things. The few other issues are something that actually depends, in a sense, that every month, they roll out the patches, and then they try to close the vulnerabilities, creating issues. So, maybe encryption, and also there are many things.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of the solution is high. Scalability-wise, I rate this solution may be above eight out of ten. There are around 4,00,000 users of this solution.

The solution is used very often, daily, since it serves as a primary tool for various tasks, including authentication and other functions. At present, we do not plan to increase the number of users using the solution, as we are trying to reduce the footprint.

How are customer service and support?

I rate the technical support for the solution between six to seven out of ten. While technical support is proactive, there are times when we cannot get through a call and don't always receive the support we expect from Microsoft's technical support team.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of the solution is easy, and I would rate it an eight or nine out of ten on a scale of one to ten, where one being difficult and ten being easy.

The deployment time of the solution varies depending on the team responsible for it. Since it's not primarily our team's responsibility, I'm unsure of the exact time required for deployment. I don't think more than one person is required for the entire deployment process. The number of people required to maintain the solution depends on the company's size.

What was our ROI?

The solution is worth the money paid for it.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I'm unsure about the cost of the solution, as I was never involved in that aspect. However, I don't think it would be expensive. It might be average, around four or five out of ten. I believe the licensing costs are volume licensing for on-premises, so it shouldn't be monthly. I think it's a one-time purchase for the server, and it comes with the necessary licenses. We don't have to buy any additional licenses.

What other advice do I have?

My advice for those planning to use Microsoft Active Directory as a solution is that it is a scalable and stable platform that has been used for many years. It is a necessary tool for companies using Windows-based operating systems to manage their objects. Overall, I rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Active Directory Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: August 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Active Directory Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.