Clarification using existing AD accounts in ADCM?

[jwarmuth]

I'm having a bit of a time figuring out whether or not one actually can or cannot use pre-existing AD accounts with Sharepoint Team Services.

Reading the documentation (there's my problem right there! *rimshot*) it states; "When you use Active Directory account creation mode, you cannot use pre-existing domain accounts; instead, new accounts are created whenever you add users."

A little further down the documentation; "Windows SharePoint Services checks Active Directory to see if an account with that e-mail address or group name already exists. If the user or cross-site group already has an account in Active Directory, the account is used."


By 'domain' do they mean AD? It almost appears the author of the admin documentation keeps getting the two confused.


I find this most puzzling because if you can't use pre-existing AD accounts, what's the point in using ADCM?! And how do you deal with existing users requiring sharepoint access, do they end up with multiple accounts/passwords to remember?

TIA!

Jeff W.
MCSE, CNE

 

[Thomas2000]

Hello,

It sure is a puzzling thing!

In Domain account mode you use already existing A.D accounts. So if you already have an A.D in your organisation then you should use this mode.

ADCM could be used by for example an ISP that wants to creatre unique accounts for their customers, or if you set up a domain and A.D just for the SharePoint service and you do not want to use existing domain accounts or assoiciate the sharepoint system with your existing A.D

I would say that Domain account mode is the most common used in companies organisations (since most companies already have an A.D setup or a pre-win 2000 domain)

Regards,
Thomas

 

[jwarmuth]

They should really stop confusing domain with AD. :/ It spreads the confusion.

Jeff W.
MCSE, CNE