RFC on new network

[Matthew Geddes]

Tim Fletcher wrote:
> 
> I am setting up a network for the school I work for and I wondered if I
> could pick this lists collective brain for some ideas / comments:
> 
> Some background:
> 
> Aims:
> 2000 users with home dirs
> NT logins
> linux clients running citrix on top to give NT desktop
> Some (<100) win9x machines, can be NT but I find win9x easier to clone

I've actually found that (using Norton's Ghost) NT is easier to clone
than 9x. I think it's because of the lack of plug and play support.

> 
> Thoughts:
> 
> My ideal solution is to have a bdc/filestore machine and a pdc both
> running samba, I can swollow my pride and use NT on the pdc if people
> think it is a better plan.

I've never had TNG as a BDC to an NT box. I did have to reinstall my NT
box once because of it (and the SAM is still corrupt on one of my
production NT servers ;-)). I'd try my luck with TNG.

> 
> The reason I would like to see a mostly samba/linux solution is that I
> need usernames visable to linux for mail / web serving via NIS.
> 
> The advantages I see to NT pdc is that the $%^%$^%$^ exchange box we got
> "requimended" for staff use by our consultents uses the domain list for
> management (I think not tried it)

Ouch. You could try Samba TNG as the PDC and the NT box as the BDC. If
something does go wrong, it's usually forming a trust with the domain
and NT is less likely to bring Samba to it's knees. Although, TNG has
been really stable lately.

> 
> Current state:
> I have various flavours of samba working:
> 2.0.x is fine for fileserving / printing
> Head has compiled / started, not played with thou
> TNG has compiled and runs, I can get domain logins to work and create
> machine accounts fine.
> 
> I have a few problems with passwords and the bdc thou, which I have as I
> was writting this have had an idea on.
> 
> Does anyone use RedHat 6.2 with tng, and have they tinked with the nobody
> account?

Yes, I use 6.2, but I don't use the nobody account for anything.

I would personally like to hear which direction you head (no pun
intended), so feel free to let me know what you decide. As always, I'm
sure the list will try to help as much possible.

Hope it helps,
Matt

P.S. All the above stuff is just based on my experiences, it's not
necessarily the right way of doing things ;-).
-- 

Matthew Geddes
Network Manager
Xavier College
Gawler, SA