Domain Model

What is Domain Model?

A model for building an enterprise-level network using Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000 domains. Windows NT and Windows 2000 can be scaled for implementation in enterprise-level businesses that support thousands of users and cover geographically diverse regions.

Choosing a correct domain model for implementing your Windows NT or Windows 2000 network can greatly simplify administration of your network.

Some domain models are more suitable for smaller implementations, while others are better for larger networks.

Four main domain models can be implemented in a Windows NT network:

• The single domain model, which keeps all machines in the network in a single domain and is usually implemented in smaller companies
• The single master domain model, which separates resource domains from a master or accounts domain and is suitable for companies with a hierarchical organizational structure
• The multiple master domain model, which uses multiple accounts or master domains and is suitable for large organizations that span different countries or continents
• The complete trust model, which is used by very decentralized organizations or during the transition period when two companies merge

Because of its two-way transitive trusts between domains, Windows 2000 is capable of building more flexible domain structures. In addition to the single domain model, domains can be linked hierarchically in domain trees, and domain trees can be joined in domain forests.

For more information on Windows 2000 domain models, see Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) course number 1561, Designing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Directory Services Infrastructure.