What are Active Directory (AD), Domain Name System (DNS), and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), and how do they work?

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Accepted Answer

AD, DNS, and DHCP are essential services for managing network resources and facilitating communication in Windows environments.

Active Directory (AD): A directory service that stores information about network resources, users, and computers, enabling centralized management.
Domain Name System (DNS): A naming system that translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses for network communication.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): A network management protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration to devices on a network.
Example of AD: In a corporate environment, AD can manage user accounts, enforce security policies, and control access to resources.
Example of DNS: When you type a website URL in your browser, DNS resolves it to the corresponding IP address, allowing you to access the site.
Example of DHCP: When a laptop connects to a Wi-Fi network, DHCP assigns it an IP address from a predefined range, enabling it to communicate on the network.

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