Simulating an Active Directory Login in Dev/Test Environment

Question

Currently building a WPF app that will run in an environment where the user logs into Windows PC which is on a domain (DC). The app will ask the user to enter their login and p

Answer 1

Use ADAM (Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Application Mode)

For organizations that require flexible support for directory-enabled applications, Microsoft has developed Active Directory Application Mode (ADAM). ADAM is a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory service that runs as a user service, rather than as a system service. Active Directory Application Mode represents a breakthrough in directory services technology that provides flexibility and helps organizations avoid increased infrastructure costs.

That is, a free AD server from Microsoft that you can run on your desktop.

Answer 2

If you're on Windows 8 you can go to Add/Remove Windows Features and check AD LDS. Once it's finished configuring, run mmc and add ADSI Edit. It'll default to a domain controller on the network and you can populate your own instance of AD.