What is NDES?

NDES (Network Device Enrollment Service) is a Microsoft Windows Server role service that allows network devices (like routers, switches, and printers) and also software on those devices, which don't have domain credentials, to obtain certificates from a Certificate Authority (CA). It acts as a registration authority, simplifying the process of issuing certificates to devices that cannot directly request them from the CA due to lack of support for the full DCOM/RPC enrollment protocol. NDES is often used in scenarios where devices require certificates for authentication or secure communication but lack the necessary capabilities to perform complex certificate enrollment processes.