What is AWS Directory Service?

AWS Directory Service is a tool that allows the Microsoft Active Directory to run inside the AWS cloud. It helps the teams to handle the user accounts, device permissions, and the access control without dealing with a heavy server setup or maintenance. Since many companies depend on the Active Directory, AWS offers a smooth way to connect their existing identities with AWS services while keeping the entire setup the same. In this blog, you will understand what AWS Directory Service is, how it works, along with use cases in detail.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction to AWS Directory Service
• How AWS Directory Service Works
• Directory Options in AWS Directory Service
  1. AWS Microsoft Active Directory
  2. AWS Simple AD
  3. AWS Active Directory Connector
• Use Cases of AWS Directory Service
• Conclusion

Introduction to AWS Directory Service

AWS Directory Service is a cloud-based solution that helps organizations manage user identities and access within the AWS environment. It provides a centralized way to handle authentication, permissions, and resource access across multiple AWS applications. Using the Active Directory (AD) features ensures a consistent and seamless experience for both administrators and users. The service supports the directories created directly in AWS as well as the hybrid setups that connect to the existing Active Directory running in he company’s own servers. It provides a safe and flexible base for handling users and resources in the AWS cloud.

Key Features

1. AWS-Managed Infrastructure: Runs on AWS-managed servers with automatic monitoring and replacement of failed domain controllers.
2. High Availability: Designed for reliability by running the domain controllers across multiple Availability Zones within the same AWS Region.
3. Daily Snapshots: Takes automatic daily backups, with the option to create extra ones before major updates.
4. Group-Based Policies: Use familiar Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to manage users and devices.
5. Trust Support: Connects AWS Managed Microsoft AD with the existing Active Directory.

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How AWS Directory Service Works

AWS Directory Service works by running the Microsoft Active Directory in Amazon-managed servers distributed across multiple Availability Zones. It handles authentication and access for multiple AWS services using the common identity store. This setup keeps all the AWS services like EC2, S3, RDS, and workspaces connected without the need to maintain separate login systems. Now, let’s understand how the AWS Directory works in detail.

1. Active Directory is hosted on AWS-managed domain controllers.
2. Authentication requests from AWS services go to this directory for verification.
3. User accounts, passwords, and permission rules are stored in one central place.
4. Domain controllers are monitored and replaced automatically if any fail.
5. The setup can connect to an existing on-prem AD or operate fully in the cloud.

Directory Options in AWS Directory Service

AWS Directory Service offers multiple ways to connect your existing Active Directory or set up new directories in the cloud. Each option is designed for different needs, from full AD management to lightweight integrations.

There are three directory options:

1. AWS Microsoft Active Directory

AWS Microsoft Active Directory is a managed service that runs the Active Directory inside the AWS cloud. It helps handle the setup, updates, and maintenance, so that the administrators can focus on only managing the users and the access with the same AD tools that they are already familiar with. This service connects smoothly with the AWS applications and keeps the identity management safe and consistent.

Key Features:

• High Availability: It is deployed across multiple availability zones, which makes it more reliable and fault-tolerant and improves the performance.
• Scalable Directory: Helps in easily expanding the directory by adding additional domain controllers, and the workload increases.
• AWS-Managed Infrastructure: It runs on the AWS-managed infrastructure with continuous monitoring that helps in detecting and replacing faulty domain controllers.
• Unified Directory for Workloads: Provides a single directory for various AWS workloads, including Amazon RDS and Amazon EC2.

2. AWS Simple AD

AWS Simple AD is an AWS-managed directory based on Samba 4 that supports basic Active Directory features. It can work as an independent directory in the cloud directory for the Windows workloads that require basic AD features. It is suitable for small teams that need a budget-friendly directory setup without the need to run the entire Microsoft AD.

Key Features:

• Built-In Monitoring and Backups: Includes AWS-managed monitoring, daily snapshots, and automated backups for enhanced reliability and recovery.
• Seamless AWS Integration: Works smoothly with AWS services such as Amazon WorkDocs, Amazon WorkMail, Amazon WorkSpaces, and Amazon QuickSight.
• AWS Console Access: Allows Simple AD user accounts to log in directly to the AWS Management Console.
• Core AD Functions: Provides essential Active Directory features like group memberships, Kerberos-based SSO, domain joining for Windows and Linux EC2 instances, user accounts, and group policies.

3. AWS Active Directory Connector

The AD connector helps in linking services like Amazon EC2, QuickSight, WorkSpaces, and RDS SQL Server with an existing Microsoft Active Directory. It allows users to sign in with the same office credentials and sends the login request to the company’s AD without storing anything in AWS. All the authentication requests are sent to the on-site domain controllers, which makes it an easy and secure way to extend an existing AD setup into AWS.

Key Features:

• Service Compatibility: Easily integrates with AWS services like Amazon WorkSpaces, Amazon QuickSight, RDS SQL Server, and Amazon EC2 for centralized authentication.
• Seamless Authentication: Redirects sign-in requests from AWS applications to your on-premises Active Directory for user authentication.
• No Data Synchronization Required: Acts purely as a proxy, meaning user information and passwords remain in your on-premises directory.
• Flexible Scaling: You can deploy multiple AD Connectors to balance application loads and enhance performance.

Use Cases of AWS Directory Service

1. Centralized Identity Management: Manage user identities, authentication, and policies across both local systems and cloud environments from one directory, which helps in improving security and efficiency.

2. Seamless Access for Existing AD Users: Allows users to connect an existing Active Directory to AWS through the trust relationships, allowing users to easily access AWS resources without managing separate credentials.

3. Integration with Amazon RDS and FSx: AWS Managed Microsoft AD can be used to connect and manage services like Amazon RDS (SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL) and Amazon FSx for Windows File Server.

4. Single Sign-In for AWS Workspaces and Apps: Enable secure, one-click access to services like Amazon WorkSpaces, WorkDocs, WorkLink, and AppStream 2.0 without the need for separate logins.

5. Easy Access to Cloud Applications: Links the AWS Managed Microsoft AD with AWS IAM Identity Center (formerly AWS SSO), which provides one sign-in for all the applications, like Office 365, Salesforce, and Box.

Conclusion

AWS Directory Service provides a range of solutions to manage user identities and access across both existing systems and cloud environments. With options like AWS Managed Microsoft AD, AD Connector, and Simple AD, organizations can choose the right balance of control, cost, and functionality. These services make it easier to integrate existing Active Directory environments with AWS resources securely and efficiently. By mastering AWS Directory Service, businesses can build an efficient, scalable, and well-managed cloud infrastructure.

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