What is the purpose of Active Directory?

Active Directory serves a fundamental role in managing network resources and user permissions within a Windows environment. It provides a centralized location for storing information about network entities, including users, groups, computers, and other devices, which can all be organized into a hierarchical structure. This centralized management enables administrators to enforce security policies, manage access to resources, and streamline user authentication and authorization processes.

By utilizing Active Directory, organizations can better control who has access to various network resources, thereby enhancing security and ensuring that users only have permissions that align with their roles. Additionally, the directory service allows for easier management of network resources, as administrators can create and modify groups to assign permissions collectively rather than individually.

The other options are related to different functions not encompassed by Active Directory. For instance, securely storing backup data, providing internet connectivity, or hosting web applications are tasks typically managed by other systems or services, not primarily by Active Directory. Thus, A is the correct answer, highlighting the core function of Active Directory.