Microsoft’s Active Directory is an integrated set of directory services that improves the management, interoperability and security of the Windows operating system.  The Active Directory service provides the means to manage all elements of a Microsoft Windows based network including computers, groups, users, domains, security policies and any type of user-defined objects.  ‘CatNet, the U of A Active Directory service, is a campus-wide service hosted by UITS that is open to all departments and colleges on campus.  ‘CatNet was developed with the following principles in mind.

• Whether a user is signing into a desktop in a computer lab, printing to a shared office printer, viewing a department file share, logging into webmail or using campus library resources our goal is that each user is only required to remember a single username and password; their UA NetID. 

• In the case of resources available in ‘CatNet, the users will have a true single sign-on experience.  Simply logging into a participating workstation will allow the users access to any of the ‘CatNet resources they are authorized to use without repeatedly prompting them for authentication credentials.

• Users can easily search the directory for, and access, central and departmental file servers, applications and printers across campus.

Simplifying IT Management

• Participating in ‘CatNet provides each department with a single consistent point of management for user accounts which effectively simplifies account management, user password control and resource sharing.

• ‘CatNet provides central integration of IT resources, ensures the security of those resources and provides consistent enforcement of campus IT policies while still allowing a decentralized approach to IT management for individual departments and colleges.

Strengthening campus IT security

• UITS provides a physically secure environment for its servers spanning two physical sites for redundancy and fail over.  This environment is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ensuring that the ‘CatNet domain controllers and member servers are available.

• Because of the hierarchical security model with delegation of authority there is no possibility of Enterprise administrators accessing sensitive department information without permission.

• Consistent security policies can easily be applied and maintained in an Active Directory both at the Enterprise level and at the OU level via group policies and access control lists.

Lowering computing costs

‘CatNet allows departments to reduce the overall number of servers required for their department while still providing full control of all objects within their OU.  Also, by providing single sign-on access and user controlled password management, participating in ‘CatNet can reduce the time needed for routine account administration allowing administrators to focus their attention on other tasks.