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Domainless Enterprise Architecture
Domainless enterprise is one that doesn't require a user to connect to the domain controller to control and authorise access to corporate resources essentially, rather, end users simply connect directly to whatever resources they need – whether in the cloud, on-prem, or remote.
The domainless enterprise employs IT architecture that's unsolidified, flexible, and responsive and supports secure work from any location or situation. It also supports resource allocation that's customised for each person based on their role and needs, since this architecture is device-centric, regardless of OS or solution provider.
Basically, a domainless enterprise doesn't require a user to connect to the domain controller to control and authorise access to corporate resources necessarily. Rather, end users simply connect directly to whatever resources they need, whether at the cloud, on-prem, or remotely.
For many, the option is to go domainless, since the domain has been a staple in IT organisations for decades. At its best, the domain provided a secure perimeter and centralised management control to IT resources because the domain struggles with these resources, many are choosing to avoid it altogether.
The truth is that for most cloud forward, heterogeneous IT organisations, Active Directory just isn't relevant anymore. The positive news is that there is a new generation of technology called Directory-as-a-Service® focused on solving a number of these Active Directory shortcomings.
Paybacks of a Domainless Enterprise
In the past, technology was a lot simpler and easier to manage for IT admins and teams, but in the modern era, where businesses can find themselves relying on dozens of distinct programmes, tools, systems, and platforms. There is a growing need for better management options to ease the burden on administrators & power-users, improve collaboration between teams, strengthen security, and adapt to the changes of remote work.
Entering the domainless system is relatively new but increasingly popular system in which cloud directory service replaces the traditional single domain controller model, enabling admins to handle access management, user authentication, security monitoring, and other key processes from one centralised system.
Breaking the Boundaries
In the past, companies had to make use of domain-bound enterprise models, typically, they would set up Active Directory and then create their own internal networks to safeguard company data and files. From here, they could make use of AD to manage user accounts and access levels, and the system worked perfectly well back in the early 2000s.
But since then, times have changed and the technological landscape has completely transformed, with other companies aside from Windows developing their own new technological tools including everything for small and business greats.
Administrators and managers, therefore, needed to make use of other tools and add-ons like IAM to manage access and identities and keep security levels in check, but this model has become increasingly outdated due to its ever-increasing complexity, and the domainless enterprise is being adopted by more and more companies around the globe.
In simple terms, a domainless enterprise is a cloud directory service that gives admins full control over users across Mac, Windows, and Linux systems, able to adjust access levels, track user actions, strengthen security, and foster seamless integration and cross-platform connectivity for teams and remote workers using totally dissimilar systems and tools.
The Key Assistances of Domainless Enterprise
So what are the assistances of a domainless enterprise and how can this model work for you? Here are a few of the most important advantages:
1. Adapt your System as Required
One of the best assistances of a domainless enterprise is its capacity for expansion and customisation to suit the precise needs and requirements of each business. With this system, admins are able to centralize all of their IAM via the cloud, without any excess add-ons or extra infrastructure, so they can leverage almost any resource imaginable and easily link it with the directory service.
This means that you are effectively not locked in by any barriers or present structures regarding vendor relationships and identity management, so you can easily pick and choose the programmes, tools, and solutions that work best for your teams, rather than being limited to a narrower range of solutions that are compatible with your existing model.
2. Powerup the Security for All Users
Security is of increasing importance to companies of all sizes, all over the globe, especially in the wake of so many high-profile data breaches and leaks that can put the entire future of businesses in jeopardy. A domainless enterprise with a cloud directory service can enjoy unprecedented advancements in user security. With this model, administrators are able to strengthen security for all, enabling users to change passwords directly via their own platforms, with the updated passwords written directly into the directory.
This way, users get a level of personal control over their own security, while administrators also enjoy the benefit of fewer password tickets and security issues. They can also implement multi-factor authentication tools for additional security and control user access limits on the fly to easily and instantaneously suspend users if their accounts become compromised.
3. Prepare for the Work Remotely
It is becoming increasingly clear that remote work in some form or another is going to be integral to the future development of many companies and industries, and a domainless enterprise can help businesses shift towards remote working models with ease.
Since everything is built on and based in cloud infrastructure, this system makes it easy for admins to carry out their operations from any location, not needing to worry about physical server access or specific locations.
Final Verdict
It’s clear to see that the domainless enterprise model holds a lot of advantages for businesses of all sizes, and those that wish to enhance their IT systems, boost security, and improve user experiences from top to bottom should certainly consider making the switch.
"We think of enterprise architecture as the process we use for fully describing and mapping business functionality and business requirements and relating them to information systems requirements."
- Tony Scott