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Microsoft Active Directory VS Zentyal

Compare Microsoft Active Directory VS Zentyal and see what are their differences

Microsoft Active Directory logo Microsoft Active Directory

Active Directory is a special-purpose database \ 8212; it is not a registry replacement.

Zentyal logo Zentyal

Linux directory, domain, mail, gateway and infrastructure server for SMBs.
  • Microsoft Active Directory Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-09
  • Zentyal Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-16

Microsoft Active Directory features and specs

  • Centralized Management
    Active Directory allows for centralized management of user accounts, groups, and devices, making it easier to manage permissions and enforce policies across the enterprise.
  • Security
    AD offers robust security features, including support for multifactor authentication, Kerberos-based authentication, and fine-grained access controls to protect sensitive data.
  • Scalability
    Active Directory is highly scalable and can handle a large number of users and devices, making it suitable for both small and large organizations.
  • Integration
    AD integrates seamlessly with various Microsoft products and services, such as Exchange Server, SharePoint, and other third-party applications, providing a cohesive ecosystem.
  • Group Policy
    The Group Policy feature in AD allows administrators to enforce specific configurations and settings across all computers and users in the network, ensuring uniformity and compliance.
  • Replicated Data Store
    Active Directory uses a replicated data store, ensuring that domain information is consistent and up-to-date across all domain controllers.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Active Directory

  • Complexity
    Setting up and managing Active Directory can be complex, particularly for administrators who are not well-versed in Windows Server technologies.
  • Cost
    Implementing Active Directory can be expensive due to licensing, hardware requirements, and the need for skilled IT staff to manage it.
  • Single Point of Failure
    If not properly configured with redundancy, AD can become a single point of failure, leading to significant downtime if domain controllers go down.
  • Maintenance
    Regular maintenance tasks, such as updates, patches, and backups, are required to keep the AD environment secure and operational, which can be time-consuming.
  • Compatibility
    Some non-Windows operating systems and applications may not integrate seamlessly with Active Directory, requiring additional configuration or third-party solutions.
  • Cloud Adoption
    With the shift towards cloud-based identity and access management solutions, organizations may find traditional AD less aligned with modern, cloud-first strategies.

Zentyal features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Zentyal is designed to be user-friendly, providing a GUI for managing its features which makes it accessible even for those with limited Linux experience.
  • Integrated Services
    Zentyal integrates multiple services (LDAP, DNS, DHCP, VPN, etc.) within a single platform, simplifying network management.
  • Active Directory Integration
    Zentyal offers seamless integration with Microsoft Active Directory, making it a viable option for organizations looking to manage Windows clients.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source product, Zentyal provides transparency, customization, and cost-effectiveness compared to proprietary solutions.
  • Regular Updates
    Zentyal offers regular updates and improvements, ensuring that the system remains secure and up-to-date with current standards.
  • Community Support
    A strong community backing provides forums and resources that can help troubleshoot and solve problems that users might encounter.

Possible disadvantages of Zentyal

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While easy to use, Zentyal may lack some advanced features and flexibility needed by more complex or specialized IT environments.
  • Performance Overhead
    The integrated services and graphical interface can introduce a performance overhead compared to more streamlined and specialized solutions.
  • Support Costs
    Although the software itself is free, professional support and certain advanced features may require a paid subscription.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Configurations
    While basic setups are straightforward, more advanced or customized configurations may still require a deep understanding of the underlying technologies.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Being a Linux-based system, Zentyal may have compatibility issues with certain hardware, necessitating careful planning and potentially additional troubleshooting.
  • Update Management
    Sometimes updates can introduce bugs or issues, necessitating rigorous testing before deployment in a production environment.

Microsoft Active Directory videos

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Zentyal videos

Product Review - Zentyal Server 5.1 (Development Version)

More videos:

  • Review - Zentyal 6.0 Linux based Small Business Server Install & base Config
  • Review - Zentyal Domain Controller - Basically Free Active Directory!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft Active Directory and Zentyal)
Identity And Access Management
Cloud Computing
24 24%
76% 76
Identity Provider
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Storage
0 0%
100% 100

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Reviews

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Zentyal Reviews

15 Best iRedMail Alternatives 2021
Zentyal supports CardDAV and CalDAV protocols which enable calendar and contact synchronization in a similar manner as iRedMail. Like its counterpart, Zentyal also provides built-in antispam and antivirus filters, as well as integrated TSL/SSL support.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft Active Directory and Zentyal, you can also consider the following products

Okta - Enterprise-grade identity management for all your apps, users & devices

NethServer - NethServer is an operating system for Linux enthusiasts, designed for small offices and medium...

Auth0 - Auth0 is a program for people to get authentication and authorization services for their own business use.

ClearOS - A very good alternative for Windows Server, for free

OneLogin - On-demand SSO, directory integration, user provisioning and more

OpenMediaVault - OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.