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Active Directory: Monitoring, Managing and Recovering AD DS

Name: Active Directory: Monitoring, Managing and Recovering AD DS
Rating: 4.5 (11 reviews)

AD DS monitoring, performance analysis, resource management, AD database structure, NTDSUTIL, backup/restore strategies

Created byVitalii Shumylo

Last updated 9/2026

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Master AD DS performance monitoring and optimization by implementing resource bottleneck analysis, configuring performance counters, analyzing metrics.
Expertly manage the Active Directory database through NTDSUTIL operations, maintenance procedures, database integrity checks
Design and implement comprehensive backup and recovery strategies including Active Directory Recycle Bin configuration, authoritative/non-authoritative restore.
Execute a complete hands-on project implementing monitoring solutions, database maintenance routines, and disaster recovery procedures in a simulated enterprise

Course content

3 sections • 22 lectures • 2h 28m total length

Resource Bottleneck Analysis in Active Directory Environment5:29
Identify the key system resources that drive domain controller performance; cpu, disk, memory, and network; and learn how bottlenecks in these areas impact AD synchronization and user experience.
Demo: Basic Windows Server Performance Monitoring Tools Overview5:01
Explore Windows server performance monitoring tools, including Task Manager, Performance Monitor, and Resource Monitor, to analyze CPU, memory, disk, and network usage in real time.
Demo: Practical Server Performance Testing and Load Simulation7:31
Perform practical server performance testing and load simulation using Windows performance tools, including Task Manager, Resource Monitor, Event Viewer, and Performance Monitor, to observe CPU, memory, disk, and multi-application workloads.
Core System Performance Counters for Active Directory Analysis8:47
Discover how Performance Monitor collects and displays system data with performance objects and counters, using real-time snapshots and historical data via data collector sets to monitor CPU, memory, and disk.
Network Performance Monitoring for Active Directory Services3:55
Monitor network performance for Active Directory services by tracking current bandwidth, bytes total per second, and output queue length across secure networks and adapters to detect bottlenecks and saturation.
Active Directory Replication and Authentication Counter Analysis6:15
Review directory counters on domain controllers, including DRA inbound/outbound bytes and replication queues, Kerberos and NTLM authentication rates, and use data collector sets to plan capacity and monitor replication health.
Demo: Configuring Performance Monitor Data Collection for AD DS7:29
Explore how to use Performance Monitor to track Active Directory domain services performance, configure counters and a data collector set, and analyze replication traffic, directory searches, and authentication metrics.
Demo: AD DS Performance Metrics Analysis and Interpretation7:05
Learn to use performance monitor and custom data collector sets to collect and analyze directory services, authentication, and replication metrics for Windows Server administration with real-time monitoring.

Understanding Active Directory Database Structure and Components6:02
Understand the Active Directory database structure, including the central repository for forest schema, configuration, and domain context, and the roles of EDB log files and checkpoint files in reliable processing.
NTDSUTIL Basic Operations and DSRM Password Management8:04
Explore ntdsutil, a powerful command-line tool for Active Directory maintenance, enabling snapshots, offline defragmentation, and metadata cleanup, plus resetting the dsrm password on domain controllers.
Working with Active Directory Snapshots and Database Maintenance8:12
Learn to create and mount Active Directory snapshots, activate the NTDS instance, and use AD tools to recover deleted objects, audit historical changes, and perform point-in-time data maintenance.
NTDSUTIL Database Integrity and File Management Operations4:32
Learn ntdsutil techniques for active directory maintenance, including integrity verification, defragmentation with compact, recovery, and moving database or log files, plus backup and service stop precautions.
Understanding ADDS Service States and Restartable ADDS Management6:04
Explore restartable AD DS management using MMC snap-ins, command prompt, or PowerShell, and learn AD DS started, AD DS stopped, and DS restore mode states for maintenance without full restarts.

Object Deletion Process and Recovery in Active Directory3:40
Explore how Active Directory handles object deletion and the deleted objects container, including attribute loss. Identify tombstone lifetime 180 days, garbage collection 12 hours, and linked attributes cannot be preserved.
Demo: Object Recovery Without Recycle Bin Using LDP in Active Directory12:40
Demonstrates object deletion in Active Directory and recovery without the Recycle Bin using LDP, highlighting tombstone lifetime, garbage collection, and the complexity of restoration.
Demo: Configuring Active Directory Recycle Bin via AD Admin Center4:51
Enable the Active Directory Recycle Bin through Active Directory Administrative Center, delete test accounts, and recover objects using simple restore or restore to a specific location.
Demo: Implementing and Configuring Active Directory Recycle Bin with PowerShell8:32
Learn to implement the Active Directory recycle bin with PowerShell, enabling the feature at forest scope and understanding the 180-day recoverable period. Troubleshoot replication and verify feature status.
Demo: Practical Object Recovery using Active Directory Recycle Bin with PS8:43
Demonstrate object recovery in Active Directory by creating, deleting, and restoring a test user with PowerShell, leveraging the Active Directory Recycle Bin and targeted object search.
Object Lifetime Management and Windows Server Backup Options5:45
Learn object lifetime management in Active Directory, including tombstone and deleted object lifetimes, configured by PowerShell, and explore Windows Server Backup options like bare metal, system state, and Azure integration.
Azure Backup and DPM Implementation for Enterprise Systems7:53
Explore Azure Backup and DPM as enterprise data protection tools that safeguard files, integrate with Windows Server Backup, and enable cloud or on-premises recovery with block-level incrementals and encryption.
(Non)Authoritative AD Restore Concepts and Implementation6:43
Examine non-authoritative and authoritative Active Directory restoration, from full server and system state backups to dsrm-based recovery, with replication consistency and notes on Active Directory Recycle Bin.
Advanced Authoritative AD Restoration Techniques5:25
Perform an authoritative restore of Active Directory by booting the domain controller into directory services restore mode, marking objects as authoritative, and restoring via NTDSUTIL.

Requirements

Basic understanding of Windows Server fundamentals - If you can navigate the Windows Server interface and understand basic server roles, you're ready to start! No advanced knowledge required.

Description

Advanced Active Directory Management & Maintenance

Master the complete lifecycle of Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) management with our comprehensive technical course. This deep-dive program delivers essential knowledge and hands-on experience in monitoring, maintaining, and recovering Active Directory environments at an enterprise scale.

Our expertly-designed curriculum covers critical aspects of AD DS administration through three core sections, combining theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on labs and real-world scenarios. Learn directly from industry experts who share battle-tested strategies for maintaining robust and resilient Active Directory infrastructures.

Course Outline:

Section 1: Monitoring AD DS

- Understanding resource bottleneck analysis and resolution

- Implementing Windows Server performance monitoring tools

- Mastering performance testing and load simulation

- Analyzing system performance counters

- Configuring network performance monitoring

- Managing replication and authentication monitoring

- Setting up data collection and analysis systems

Section 2: Managing the Active Directory Database

- Exploring AD database structure and components

- Operating NTDSUTIL and DSRM password management

- Working with AD snapshots

- Performing database maintenance operations

- Managing ADDS service states

- Implementing restartable AD DS

Section 3: Active Directory Backup and Recovery

- Understanding object deletion and recovery processes

- Implementing AD recycle bin functionality

- Mastering object recovery techniques with and without recycle bin

- Configuring Windows Server backup solutions

- Implementing Azure Backup and DPM

- Performing authoritative and non-authoritative restores

- Managing advanced restoration procedures

The course combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice through real-world scenarios and lab exercises. You'll learn from industry experts and gain practical experience in performance monitoring, database management, backup strategies, and disaster recovery procedures.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

- Design and implement comprehensive AD monitoring solutions

- Manage and maintain AD databases with confidence

- Master backup and recovery procedures for all scenarios

- Implement automated maintenance routines

- Troubleshoot complex AD performance issues

- Apply industry best practices for AD lifecycle management

This course is ideal for IT professionals, system administrators, infrastructure engineers, and technical team leads responsible for maintaining and protecting Active Directory environments. Whether you're managing a small business or enterprise infrastructure, you'll gain the skills needed to ensure your AD environment operates at peak efficiency with maximum reliability.

Prerequisites:

- Basic understanding of Windows Server administration

- Familiarity with Active Directory concepts

- Access to a lab environment for hands-on exercises

Join us to transform your Active Directory management skills and become the expert your organization needs for maintaining a robust and reliable AD infrastructure.

Who this course is for:

Systems Administrators managing or planning to manage Active Directory infrastructure
IT Support Engineers looking to advance their AD troubleshooting skills
Infrastructure Engineers seeking deep AD database management expertise
Help Desk Professionals ready to move into system administration
Junior Administrators aiming to take on more senior AD responsibilities

Active Directory: Monitoring, Managing and Recovering AD DS

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Monitoring AD DS8 lectures • 52min

Managing the Active Directory Database5 lectures • 33min

Active Directory backup and recovery options for AD DS9 lectures • 1hr 4min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: