AdminXP.com: Microsoft Management Console (MMC): Introduction

Microsoft Management Console (MMC): Introduction

MMC consoles represent a tool for accessing system administration. The console itself is not designed for administration, but just provides an access to so-called Snap-in administrative modules.
Everybody probably knows some of the common tools that are using MMC (e. g. Computer Manager, Users and computers of Active Directory service...). These classic tools always contain one snap-in module. However, few people know about the possibility of creating an own tool that could contain several snap-in modules or adjusting the existing ones.

Other options

Possibility of creating own consoles - There can be several snap-in modules integrated into one. Those are usually used by help of several standalone MMC consoles.
Easy transferring of created consoles - Standard path for saving the console into the profile of the current user (Folder "Administrative tools") is not required and sometimes also undesirable, the consoles you can save to desktop, diskette, network disk, send by email or to save onto internet sites.
The consoles need not only contain administrative modules - You can also insert links to web sites, ActiveX Controls.....

Practical purpose

Creating new consoles for administration (in case you always have to make several "clicks" to get to a desired item) - E. g. Certificates, Security Service, Fax service ...
Creating new administrative consoles for other administrators -Adjusting the console conveniently you can create a new administrative console for another administrator or user (possible to hide some options, integrate several tools into one console....).
Administration of several computers - A console can contain several identical tools - each for administration of one of the distant computers.

Snap-in modules

When you add one or more snap-in modules, all will be displayed in "Standalone" window. Here you can add or remove modules. But these options can be sometimes insufficient, e. g. for somebody who wants to make further adjustment of particular modules. This is possible through "Extensions". Here you can adjust some of the modules or remove some items.
Standalone - Standalone modules are the main administrative parts that in most cases contain several extended modules.
Extensions - Parts of standalone modules of administration. In case you want to use extended modules you first have to add a standalone module and then define which modules will not be used.

Standalone

Extensions

Group Policy
Active Directory Users and Computers
Active Directory Domains and Trusts
Active Directory Sites and Services
Certificates
Component Services
Computer Management
Device Manager
Disk Management
Disk Defragmenter
Distributed File System
Event Viewer
FAX Service
Indexing Service
Internet Authentication Service (IAS)
Internet Information Services
IP Security
Local Users and Groups
Performance Logs and Alerts
QoS Admission Control
Removable Storage Management
Routing and Remote Access
Security Configuration and Analysis
Security Templates
Services
Shared Folders
System Information
Telephony
Terminal Services Configuration
WMI Control

Policy Setting
AppleTalk Routing
Certification Authority
Connection Sharing (NAT)
DCOM Configuration Extension
Device Manager
DHCP Relay Management
Event Viewer
IAS Logging
IGMP Routing
IP Routing
IPX RIP Routing
IPX Routing
IPX SAP Routing
Logical and Mapped Drives
OSPF Routing
Public Key Policies
RAS Dialin - User Node
Remote Access
Removable Storage
RIP Routing
Routing
Send Console Message
Service Dependencies
SMTP Protocol
SNMP
System Properties

Some modules can be a part of installed applications. E. g. server applications such as SQL 2000, Exchange 2000, ... have their own MMC consoles for their administration.
Amount of modules differs according to the version of Windows - Professional/Server/Advanced Server/Datacenter