✅ Appropriate Scenarios for a Domain Controller

1. More Than 5 – 10 Employees or Devices.
‍When a business has more than a handful of users or computers, managing individual logins on each device becomes inefficient & insecure. A domain controller simplifies user authentication & access control.

2. Need for Centralized User and Device Management.
If you need: Central control over password policies, login rights, & user  access, the ability to join machines to a domain, easier onboarding / offboarding of employees, then a Domain Controller (DC) running Active Directory (AD) can help enforce consistent policies.

‍3. Security and Compliance Requirements.
‍Businesses in regulated industries (healthcare, finance,etc.) often need: Audit trails, Role-based access controls, Group Policy enforcement. These are easily implemented through a domain controller.

‍4. Shared Resources (Printers, File Servers, etc.)
‍If users need secure, controlled access to shared drives, applications, or network printers, a domain controller enables Single Sign-On (SSO) & centralized permission handling.

‍5. Remote Work, VPN, & Cloud Integration. A domain controller enables secure access controls for:
• VPNs.
• Remote desktop services.
• Hybrid integrations with cloud services like Microsoft 365 or Azure AD.

‍6. Desire for IT Automation and Scalability.
‍If you're planning growth, a DC allows scalable control over:
• Software deployment.
• OS updates.
• User provisioning.
• Group Policies.

‍❌ When It's Not Necessary:
‍You may not need a Domain Controller if:
• Your business is under 5 users,
• You're using only cloud-based services (like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 with Azure AD)
• You don’t require centralized control or shared internal resources.

‍👣 Next Steps: If you're unsure, StumpTown MSP can: Assess your current environment, recommend on-premises vs. cloud directory options, provide hybrid AD solutions (e.g., on-prem + Azure AD Sync).

💬Still Having Trouble? Submit a ticket or Let’s Connect! for Help:
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