Re: 5.0.6, Samba shares and MS Active Directory

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Date: Mon, 29 Mar 2004 20:52:44 GMT

Nachman Yaakov Ziskind wrote:
> Brian wrote (on Mon, Mar 29, 2004 at 08:16:31AM +0000):
>> James Szabadics wrote:
>> > We have 5.0.6 setup in an NT4 domain with Samba installed. Samba
>> > seems to talk to the domain just fine.

>> Samba is an excellent NT4 domain server replacement.
 
> Except for the WINS thing - ISTR that it will function nicely as the sole
> WINS server, but will not play well with other WINS servers. True?

There should only be a single WINS server on any Microsoft subnet.

Erm... multiple WINS can be done but it is a kludge!

>> > I am wondering how it will all work when we upgrade our NT4 servers
>> > soon to 2003 server. Anyone with hints and tips?

>> Forget about it. Microsoft Active Directory is incompatible with
>> Unix/Linux - it is part of Microsoft's attempt to lock out competition.
 
> So was the SMB protocol. Open Source broke that. What's to suppose they
> won't break open AD as well?

Samba 3 does have the capacity to join a Server 2003 AD BUT it requires some
skills - not for the average Linux/Unix punter.

>> If you are smart, you will forget about Active Directory and replace your
>> NT4s with Linux running Samba.

> There, I agree.

The best result may be to abandon NT4 Domains and AD and exclusively run a
Samba 3 File/Printer/Authentication system. That is my choice - economical,
stable, secure and cross platform capable.It may not have every bell and
whistle that AD has but what a difference in cost, security and
maintenance!

AD requires an all Windows 2000/XP environment (+Samba 3 of course) - no
98se/Millennium/NT4 welcome.

>> My experience with Microsoft AD is that it presents a heavy load on a
>> network and routinely causes stability and security issues.

> Can you document this, Brian? I suspect that you're right - but I'd love
> to have some #'s to show the local Micro-brain here, who is busy
> installing Exchange, even as I type. :-(

AD floods a network when replicating Exchange databases. There are also
issues of 'group policy' security and stability.

Exchange is an expensive and high maintenance animal - have you asked WHY?

The majority of the worlds mail rely on open source MTAs like Sendmail -
there is a good reason for that.

If you require some groupware/calendaring there are some excellent open
source products that run on any browser.

Hope that answers some of your questions.

Brian

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• In reply to: Nachman Yaakov Ziskind: "Re: 5.0.6, Samba shares and MS Active Directory"
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