In this article, we shall discuss the differences between AD LDS and AD DS. Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) is designed more to run software. Rather than to run domains so it is not a replacement for Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS). Please see Please see the following Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services [AD LDS], how to Create and Delete AD DS Partition with NTDSUTIL.EXE, and how to Create and Delete AD DS Partition with NTDSUTIL.EXE.

AD LDS can run on a computer that is in a workgroup. It does not require DNS, and also can run on client operating systems like Windows workstations. For this reason, it is a good choice for application support and for testing.

Simply put Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). It is an application protocol used for querying and modifying items in a directory service provider like Active Directory (AD).

AD provides authentication, group policy, and other services in a Windows environment. While LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is an application protocol for querying and modifying items in directory service.

Also, see “What happens when WDS and DNS are installed on the same Windows Server? DNS issues with WDS“. Here is “How to install and configure Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2022“.

Differences between Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services

For example, a developer can have their own AD LDS running on their client operating system and thus be able to make whatever changes they want. This is not possible using a production domain.

AD LDS also supports multiple instances, so the administrator is free to create as many local copies as they wish.

AD LDS does not support domain features like group policy, global catalog support, and the ability to manage workstations. For this reason, it cannot be used as a replacement for Domain Controllers. Even though these domain features are not available, AD LDS does support sites and replication.

This means AD LDS installation can replicate data between each other and also with Domain Controllers. However, the support of trusts is not supported so this limits an AD LDS instance to working with only one domain.

Please see What happens when WDS and DNS are installed on the same Windows Server? DNS issues with WDS. Here is a guide on “What is Lightweight Directory Access Protocol“, and Guide on federating ADFS with Azure Active Directory.

I hope you found this blog post on the Differences between Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services helpful. Please let me know in the comment session if you have any questions.