No thats not needed.

You can chose which servers you put in AD and which ones are local only.

Ad would only be required for Enterprise features such as Exchange/ SfB / etc. the rest it is more of a preference which ones you like in AD and which ones you don't .

For example i prefer my Web App pool users in AD (as it means i can easily migrate servers without hassle with file perms etc).

Hello Marco,
Unfortunately, my English is not so good that I really understand everything.
That's why I have to ask again.

Of course, I want to use Exchange and ev. Later other enterprise features.

That would mean that I have to hang the portal server also in AD or?

This would make no sense placing the server in the DMZ and I can just as well put it behind a reverse proxy.

Do I understand that correctly?

Ah no worries, let me clarify:

• No, your portal and Enterprise do not require AD.
• SolidCP Servers only require it for AD based roles.

Thanks Marco now its clear for me.