What is the primary domain controller?

The primary domain controller (PDC) is a server used in computer networks to manage user and groups in a particular segment of the local area (LAN). The server stores user information and access permissions for network resources such as other computers or printers throughout the network. PDC then provides users the only access point that logs in to the network and gets access to its resources, alleviating more combinations of username and passwords. The Windows® network could then be set with Windowsnt® server, which works as this central user management source and login for other computers on the network. This allowed the user to operate any other PDC workstation without having to create a user account at this workstation. Another Windowsnt® by THEN server will be set as a backup domain controller (BDC) if PDC becomes available. With the advent of Windows® 2000 and Active Directory®, domain controllers already carry primary or secondary resolution.

The primary domain controller maintains a database of users and their permissions for a particular domain. This database is then shared with any number of other backup servers. The PDC is a server in this type of network with the ability to read and write to this database. However, BDC is able to enable users to log in to a network based on shared PDC database information, but any changes in the database are underway on PDC.

Any other server in a domain that does not work because PDC or BDC is considered a member server. While the member server can be moved from one domain to another, the primary domain controller or domain controller backup cannot. This is because both PDC and any BDC in the domain have a unique security identifier that is exclusive to the domain it belongs to.

Since there may be more domains for a particular LAN, a primary domain controller for any domain can establishRelationship of trust with PDC other domains. The administrator sets up a trust account for PDC alternative domains. This is a two -way street that both PDCs must have a credibility account created to gain access to other resources. Once the link is established, users and groups may be permitted permissions to PDC alternative domains.

Since heterogeneous networks are common, free software developers have also implemented domain controller capabilities in the server software that can run on Linux® operating systems and other UNIX® operating systems. Samba implementation lowered on Linux® or Unix® server can be configured as a primary network domain or as BDC for Samba PDC. However, Samba BDC cannot support Microsoft® Windows® PDC.