PDC

Short for primary domain controller, a PDC is a server (originally released with Microsoft Windows NT) responsible for handling all accounts in a domain. The PDC offers the benefit of being a single access point for all server resources, such as printers and data sharing. It also holds login information, like usernames and passwords.

Another feature of a primary domain controller is that it allows users to access any workstation under its control without creating a separate account. Most PDCs have a corresponding BDC (backup domain controller) used as a failsafe if the PDC ever goes down. However, with the release of Windows 2000, the distinction between primary and secondary active directories ceased to exist.

Computer acronyms, Domain, Network terms, Server, Windows 2000