[Samba] installing software on Win2k workstations with samba PDC

[Andreas Achtzehn]

Dear list readers,

we run Samba 2.2.3a on our server system. It servers as a primary domain 
controller to a group of Win2k SP2 workstations.

Workstation can automatically join the domain (using the administrator's 
account) and access all file shares. 

We are experiencing a strange behaviour when it comes to install drivers or 
certain software packages. Just two examples:
ACDsee v3: Admin users can install the software without further problems. 
When logging in as root on the workstation, root can run the installation 
routine and install the software. root can also use the software. 
When normal users try to run the same executable, the process returns 
immediately. No window is opened, no message printed. When normal users try 
to install ACDsee themselves, the installation routine returns "Internal 
error" and exits. 
Canon Fax Driver for Network Fax: Admin users can install the driver and send 
faxes. Normal users can also send faxes, but are unable to store entries in 
their address-books. Error message: Failure while trying to write.

We solved the problem in the following way (after some cups of coffee and a 
rapid loss of hair): We created a local account on the workstation named 
after the user account in the domain. Both software products worked 
immediately, even when we logged in as domain users.

Where does this problem base on? Is it a flaw in the way, users are handled 
by Samba PDCs? These problems did not occur with NT4 SP6 and Samba 2.2.0a. As 
you can imagine it's a pain in the b* to have to install local accounts apart 
from PDC accounts. We also do a central backup and are not very fortunate 
about losing our addressbook once a workstation crashes.

Has anyone of you ever had to deal with this problem? Is there a solution?

Kind regards, 
Andreas
-- 
Andreas Achtzehn
PM: achtzehn at linux-society.de
Phone +49-2871-2683763