Tools for integrating Linux systems with Microsoft Active Directory
Strange Land

We explore some leading tools for integrating your Linux network with an Active Directory environment.
The benefits of keeping user and group information in one place are many. A central user management system is both more convenient and more secure. Walking around the network, changing user and group information on multiple systems takes time and increases the possibility of errors when creating or deleting an account. Maintaining different user information on different systems can also lead to insecure practices, such as password proliferation.
If your network is big enough to be managed at all, you have probably considered managing user accounts from a central location. Many tools exist for managing users in homogeneous environments; however, central management becomes difficult if users want to access a variety of operating systems.
Active Directory is Microsoft's grandiose, enterprise-grade central management solution. Although Active Directory is built from many open technologies, such as LDAP and Kerberos, Microsoft didn't exactly create Active Directory with Linux in mind. Over the years, however, several tools have emerged for combining Linux user resources with Active Directory. This article includes some popular options, such as:
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.