> Standard Schema versus Dell Extended Schema
> To provide the greatest flexibility in the multitude of customer environments, Dell provides a group of objects that can be configured by the user depending on the desired results. Dell has extended the schema to include an Association, Device, and Privilege object. The Association object is used to link together the users or groups with a specific set of privileges to one or more SIPs. The Device Object defines the individual RCS switches within the Active Directory structure and the privilege object is linked to device objects via association objects to assign usage permissions.
> This model provides an Administrator maximum flexibility over the different combinations of users, RCS privileges, and SIPs on the RCS without adding too much complexity.
> Before installing the Dell Schema Extensions, Administrators should read through the descriptions and instructions within this chapter to determine which schema is right for their particular installation. Altering a schema object will cause it to propagate through Active Directory so that once it is created, it cannot be deleted. It can only be deactivated. Because of this, the benefits of changing the schema should be carefully weighed before the effort is undertaken.
> The primary benefit gained by installing the Dell Schema Extensions is to eliminate confusion. When using the standard Active Directory schema, an RCS switch most closely matches a computer device object and is configured as one. Since the RCS switch is not a computer, the schema functions will not all apply. Care will have to be taken to correctly configure an RCS switch that is designated in this manner.
> In addition, using the Dell Schema Extensions makes it easier to search on and identify switch devices. A switch that is configured using a computer device object will be searched on along with every computer device within the Active Directory structure.
> The Remote Console Switch can authenticate equally well using either schema and no functionality is lost by using either method. Administrators are free to choose whichever method works within their particular installation. Instructions have been provided for installations with and without the Dell Schema extensions. Sections and instructions that pertain to only one schema set will be marked as such and may be ignored in installations where they are not used.