Active Directory™ is one of the most important features of the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 operating system-and this book provides the programming guidance you need to get the most out of it, whether you're a hardcode C/C++ developer or a network administrator using Microsoft Visual Basic®, Scripting Edition (VBScript). Each chapter examines a distinct programming topic, illustrated by code samples you can use in real-world applications. Use it to plunge right into the how-to's of building directory-enabled applications that use Active Directory and the Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI). Find out how to manipulate Active Directory and automate common network administration tasks-complete with samples written in C++, Visual Basic, and VBScript.

Coverage in this expert guide includes:

• Introduction to Directory Services
• Active Directory architecture
• Overview of distribution and replication
• ADSI as a programming interface
• Connecting to Active Directory and searching directory data
• Reading and writing directory data
• Extending the Active Directory schema
• Introduction to using Active Directory with Active Server Pages
• Scripts for administering Active Directory

• A fully searchable electronic copy of the book
• Sample code written in C++, Visual Basic, and VBScript
• Software Developer Kit (SDK) for ADSI 2.5 with additional tools
• Online Active Directory schema reference
• Directory Service clients for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT® 4.0

Table of Contents

• Foreword
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Pt. I Overview of Active Directory
• 1 Introduction to Directory Services 3
• 2 Active Directory Architecture 17
• 3 Programming Interfaces for Active Directory 49
• Pt. II Programming with Active Directory
• 4 Connecting to Active Directory 79
• 5 Searching Active Directory 115
• 6 Reading and Writing Directory Data 155
• 7 Advanced Properties and Values 199
• 8 The Active Directory User Interface 233
• Pt. III Special Topics
• 9 Active Directory Schema 267
• 10 Active Directory Administration Using Windows Script 341
• 11 The Web and Beyond 385
• App: Active Directory Resources 419
• Index 423