What is AD authentication?

AD authentication refers to the process of verifying a user's identity using Microsoft's Active Directory (AD) service. Active Directory is a directory service that stores information about users, computers, and other network resources. When a user attempts to access a resource that requires authentication, their credentials (username and password) are checked against the information stored in AD. If the credentials are valid, the user is granted access. AD authentication is commonly used in Windows-based networks to manage user access to resources such as file servers, printers, and applications. It provides a centralized and secure way to manage user identities and access rights.