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Getting Started

To get started with Directory Manager, it would be helpful to get an understanding of the following:

  • Directory Manager clients
  • Initial Admin Center configurations after installation
  • Compatible devices and browsers
  • Supported languages

Clients​

The Directory Manager application comprises of the following main modules or clients:

Admin Center

Admin Center is the administrative console that enables administrators to configure settings and controls that are essential to the functioning of Directory Manager.

Directory Manager portal

This is the user-facing portal that enables administrators and users to create and manage directory objects, sync data between providers, manage entitlements for file servers and SharePoint sites, and generate reports to analyze the directory.

Self-Service Password Reset portal (SSPR)

This portal enables users to manage their directory account passwords, i.e., the password for the account they use to access their workstations and other Microsoft services. Users can change and reset their passwords, as well as unlock their accounts. They can also enroll their accounts in Directory Manager and link accounts in different identity stores.

Management Shell

This command-line interface is intended for users who are comfortable with scripts. Use Management Shell cmdlets to perform several group and user management functions, as an alternative to performing those same functions from the Directory Manager portal.

APIs

Integrate other applications with Directory Manager to perform several user management and group management functions.

Initial Admin Center Configurations​

After installing and configuring Directory Manager, the Super Admin is the only user who can sign into Admin Center (see the Access Admin Center topic for additional information). This user must create an identity store and configure security roles, so that other users can sign in and use the application. The Super Admin can choose to configure further settings or let another admin user in an identity store do so.

The following settings must be configured in Admin Center, so that administrators and users can perform identity and access management tasks using Directory Manager:

  • Create and configure identity stores - An identity store is built on an identity provider and enables you to manage objects and object permissions in the provider. See the Identity Stores topic for additional information.
  • Create data sources - A data source is built on a provider, such as directories, databases and files. Data sources are used as source and destination in Synchronize jobs, in query-based searches, and in group membership queries. See the Data Sources topic for additional information.
  • Create a portal - Create a web-based Directory Manager portal and link it to an identity store, so that users can carry out user, group, and entitlement management tasks. See the Directory Manager Portal topic for additional information.
  • Create an SMS gateway account - Using an SMS gateway account, Directory Manager sends text messages to users’ mobile numbers, which may include verification codes and password reset links. See the SMS Gateway topic for additional information.

Compatibility​

This section lists the browsers, devices, and languages that Directory Manager supports.

  • Directory Manager can run on all modern desktop, laptop, and tablet devices.

  • -Directory Manager supports the latest versions of the following browsers:

    • Microsoft Edge
    • Safari
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox

Localization​

Directory Manager Admin Center and the portals detect the language settings of the web browser accessing them, and attempt to serve content in that language. Supported languages are:

  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • English (default)
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
  • Icelandic
  • Italian
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • Swedish
  • Turkish

If Directory Manager does not support the browser’s language set or if it cannot detect it, English is used to serve the content.