Active directory and exchange migrations coming to Dobbins Published Oct. 29, 2009 By Maj. Kayla Sailer Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- To the vast majority of us, a computer on the desk and the ability to log on to a network are things commonly taken for granted. While a lot goes on behind the scenes to ensure your e-mail gets delivered to the right place, the part we don't see is the daily battle against viruses and malicious attempts to disrupt our access to Air Force networks. Over the years, unique mission requirements and operational concerns drove Major Commands (MAJCOMs) and various other organizations to stand-up and operate individual e-mail and network services. This "county-option" approach to networks lacked standardization, adequate security, and was very expensive to operate and maintain. More importantly, there was no enterprise situational awareness or "single" organization or commander responsible for the network. As the Air Force continues transforming its cyber operations, a project called Active Directory and Exchange (ADX) will change this environment and establish a "centralized" user directory and e-mail service for all Air Force network users. The goal of ADX is to collapse all existing stand-alone environments into a single active directory forest structure within the Air Force Network (AFNet) under the operational control of a single commander. With a projected start date between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, Dobbins will become the second Air Force Reserve Command installation to migrate its users to the AFNet. While this change is relatively transparent, the migration to centralized services will significantly improve network security, standardize the cyber environment and reduce operational costs by eliminating redundant systems and services. The most visible change to Dobbins' network users will be in the format of e-mail addresses. The migration replaces the old first.last@dobbins.af.mil e-mail address with a standard first.last@us.af.mil e-mail address, allowing central management of these accounts, and is an address kept for the duration of a career, employment, or affiliation with the Air Force regardless of the base or organization assigned. ADX builds on the successes of the "E-mail for Life" program, and as additional bases migrate into the AFNet, will provide Airmen log-on capability to any connected Air Force computer without having to re-register for computer access when deployed, TDY or PCS. Simply stated, Airmen will have an account that is always active, and through the use of their Common Access Card (CAC), will have around the clock access to e-mail and network services such as the Air Force Portal, Air Force Personnel Center, Defense Finance Accounting Service, and any other site requiring authentication regardless of duty location, eliminating the need to de-activate or create accounts. As Dobbins approaches its projected start date, a team of Air Force Network Integration Center, 690th Network Support Group, and 94th Communications Flight technicians are busy preparing equipment and resources to facilitate the migration of almost 1,800 users. For more information concerning the ADX project, contact the Lead Command Office at DSN 779-6815, or by e-mail at afnic.ecso@us.af.mil.
