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Using Linux as a PDC for centralized password managment - is anyone doing this?

Has anyone used Linux as a PDC that can offer their experience? I'm thinking about putting it in an office that has about 15 workstation in a workgroup.

I'm considering Ubuntu Server.

remeshk

you can try following links
http://www.freeos.com/articles/3842/
http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1563
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smbldap-Tools

remeshk

try this link
http://www.howtoforge.com/samba_setup_ubuntu_5.10

Ryman1

ASKER

Thank you.

Does anyone have actual experience using Linux as a Domain Controller? I'd love to hear any feedback.

ygoutham

i had a linux machine with around 200 client nodes running windows XP. the linux machine had samba 3.0.5 and wass doing a fine job (including backup of desktop and mydocuments) roaming profile, centralized password management, and a GOOD security on access level controls. i was using a RH9 at that time and then migrated it to FC 5 without a problem.

what exactly are looking at in terms of a PDC with only 15 workstations? access level restrictions? password management? roaming profile? backup profiles? can you be more specific pls?

ygoutham

to top it all, my file server was nothing but a old desktop with 2 x 200 GB disks and I was running a rsync on cron to have files backed up. both disks were IDE and i had never seen an average load of more than 2%

Ryman1

ASKER

ygoutham,

You are the person I've been looking for!

Yes, 15 XP workstations with up to 10 more to be added. It'll be a simple Domain Controller used to authenticate the workstation, hold the passwords, and allow sync with the Network File Server which is really just a Network Attached storage that supports AD integration.

I'm hoping to use Ubuntu with Samba. Would I also need LDAP? Any information is much appreciated.

ygoutham

you do not need LDAP and other things. just add all the 15 users to the linux box and you are done. LDAP is only for sizes in excess of 100 where you see a lot of people getting in and out. also if you think of having sub-domains and other things in future then you might want LDAP. for your kind of users list (max 50) you can go with adding users into the system and be done with it.

Ryman1

ASKER

So really, Samba is the main service I need to get functioning?

I don't think I need Roaming Profiles.

Any smb.conf or other configuration tips you might offer? Would it be difficult to have LDAP going from the start?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

ygoutham

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