can Linux RHEL NIS Kerberos-based replace Windows Active Directory

(out of points, please)
I'm not an expert in Linux technology, but I've recently read somewhere about Fedora 389 Directory Server and I think it can be a part of existing domain and can be a separate environment where your machines could work. If you can test it, do it. Maybe it's worth :)

Check this project home page for installation and more details with downloads (install guide for Red Hat)
http://directory.fedoraproject.org/wiki/Install_Guide

Home Page
http://directory.fedoraproject.org/

Regards,
Krzysztof

I wanted to know the disadvantage of moving to Linux authentication rather than Active directory, example with windows server there is group policy that can be implemented on windows client.  I don’t know if that is possible with Linux server. currently we use Vista client, can Linux server control clients roaming profiles, and other permission and privileges?

Nope, that's the only Windows-based domain functions. I would suggest using Windows AD rather that Linux. It's much easier in management and more powerful. If you need to use your Linux/UNIX then you can use NIS as you said (available in 2003 R2 and above)

I'm a Windows guy and I prefer using it than Linux :]

You can check some info about AD features
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc737139%28v=ws.10%29.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/technologies/directory/activedirectory/default.mspx

Krzysztof

I would either use OpenLDAP or Samba on the Linux side.

From memory, I don't think Windows has any native NIS support.

I worked with AD but not with openLDAP. What feachers AD has OpenLDAP doesn’t. Currently we have server 2003 that has Domain controller with AD with group policy implemented, the clients are vista.
I have been asked to replace those windows server with linx.

The question is; if I use OpenLDAP does it replace windows AD. Can OpenLDAP do same function as windows AD does?

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