[Samba] Suse Linux OpenExchange Server (Samba 2.2.5) and XP

[Simon Hobson]

Sorry of I'm going over old ground ...

We are in the process of putting in a Suse Linux OpenExchange Server 
(SLOX) which at present includes Samba 2.2.5*. We are also attempting 
to use this as a PDC for XP clients that we are going to be rolling 
out.

Now, everything seems to be going down the pan, and it looks like the 
problem is that XP has dropped support for 'old style' controls and 
only supports Access Control Lists - so tit seems to log in a user, 
but then the permissions are all screwed as it can't get the info it 
wants from the server. Reading the howtos suggests that Samba 3* 
supports stuff that XP is looking for, but the guy who we've taken on 
to do the XP stuff isn't convinced - suggesting that even with 'group 
mapping (is that the right bit ?) XP will still fail.

All I want is for users to have to authenticate against the central 
database (LDAP), and for the various group memberships to be honoured 
when accessing files off the server.

Has anyone else dealt with this sort of thing ? Does XP work reliably 
with Samba 3 as PDC ?

* Why 2.2.5, well it's all down to support and integration. The whole 
system is supplied and installed as an integrated package - with 
Samba already set up to use the LDAP database that is begind the 
groupware stuff etc. The consultants setting all this up say that 
they have put Samba 3 in there for another customer without problems, 
but obviously it's not something Suse will support (yet, I guess 
it'll come during some future upgrade). I think it's a case of 
selecting packages (and versions) for stability (and the work in 
integrating any upgrades), rather than being bleeding edge'.


I'm also told that if we have roaming profiles, then the XP machines 
will store loads of c**p on the server and keep moving it back and 
forth as each user logs in/out - is this the case ? Is there any way 
of dealing with it (eg having the machine pull the files down as 
needed) ?

It's been suggested that since we don't actually have people moving 
between machines, it would be better not to use roaming profiles (for 
the reason given above). How esy is it then to have user default to 
their home directory on the server instead of 'My Documents' ?

Simon

PS - any help gratefully received, preferably before my manager 
starts saying things to the effect of "this wouldn't have happened if 
you'd stuck with MS".

-- 
Simon Hobson, Technology Specialist
Colony Gift Corporation Limited
Lindal in Furness, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0LD
Tel 01229 461100, Fax 01229 461101

Registered in England No. 1499611
Regd. Office : 100 New Bridge Street, London, EC4V 6JA.