Microsoft's Active Directory Domain Services is primarily based on which technology?

Microsoft's Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is fundamentally based on the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). LDAP is a protocol used for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. It provides a method to query and modify directory services, which is essential for managing users, computers, and other resources within a network.

Active Directory utilizes LDAP to enable efficient querying and updates of directory objects, such as user accounts and permissions. This makes LDAP foundational to how organizations implement user authentication, directory lookups, and resource authorization within Active Directory environments. Additionally, LDAP serves as a basis for many operations within Active Directory, including how data is structured, stored, and retrieved.

While SQL and Oracle relate to database management systems and RADIUS pertains to remote user authentication and accounting, they do not directly underpin the core functionality of Active Directory as LDAP does. LDAP's directory-based approach is specifically aligned with the nature of Active Directory's design and its role in identity and access management.