Active Directory is
part of the Windows Server starting with Windows Server 2000.
Active Directory is also a part of Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS).
Active Directory holds
account and security information about the users, computers, and other network
resources installed at your location.
It is important to
backup Active Directory to ensure recoverability of your Exchange Server
environment. Microsoft Exchange
Server 2000 and newer use Active Directory information and your ability to
restore your Exchange Server is tied to your ability to restore the
Active Directory data. If Active
Directory cannot be restored, your Exchange Server cannot access its data.
You can also use Active Directory without using Exchange Server. If Active Directory is used in your computing environment, it is important to include it in your backup process. When you use Backup for Workgroups and you define Backup Sets that include the Active Directory components, the Backup Client will automatically backup the Active Directory databases for you.