Active Directory Web Services (ADWS) is the Windows Server service that exposes Active Directory operations to management tools through web services.
Simple definition
Active Directory Web Services (ADWS) is the Windows Server service that exposes Active Directory operations to management tools through web services. It belongs to the Active Directory vocabulary.
What is it used for?
Its main purpose is to allow modern consoles and cmdlets to manage Active Directory without relying directly on legacy management protocols.
How does it work?
ADWS runs on domain controllers and provides an interface used notably by the Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell and some management tools.
Key points
- Scope: The Windows Server service that exposes Active Directory operations to management tools through web services.
- Operational goal: Allow modern consoles and cmdlets to manage Active Directory without relying directly on legacy management protocols.
- Mechanism: ADWS runs on domain controllers and provides an interface used notably by the Active Directory module for Windows PowerShell and some management tools.
Points to watch
A stopped or unreachable ADWS service can break management tools even while LDAP and domain authentication continue to work.
In short
Active Directory Web Services (ADWS) is a Active Directory concept to know when you need to allow modern consoles and cmdlets to manage Active Directory without relying directly on legacy management protocols.