[Samba] Linux and Samba vs WIN2K

[Mike Maki]

Hi Folks,

First let me introduce myself. My name is Mike Maki. I work as an IT
specialist for a Federal agency, the National Park Service, in the Santa
Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Thousand Oaks. I have attended
a few SCLUG meetings in the past at the old Nortel building but have not
been able to attend lately. I do watch this list closely and have gained
much from it.

So why am I writing this? In mid-July I will be representing my colleagues
from National Park Service areas in the western US and Hawaii at a meeting
where the subject will be "Information Management/Technology Strategic
Planning." My colleagues are individuals who work at the individual parks
(i.e. Yosemite, Mt. Rainier, Hawaii Volcanoes, etc.) that support the users
and equipment.

Here is my dilemma (or opportunity): As far as I know I am the only office
that is using Linux in the server environment. Everywhere else it's Windows
(NT4 or WIN2K), at least in the individual parks. There are a few NIX's for
some GIS stuff and www.nps.gov is Solaris.

My Linux environment is mostly Samba file serving and Apache for an Intranet
(with PostNuke Content Management). I still use an NT4 PDC for
authentication and DHCP. I support about 100 users. But here is where it
gets interesting. The National Park Service has been trying for the last
couple of years to create a single WIN2K domain across the country (and they
have had trouble). I have stayed away from this project primarily because I
started getting into Linux and secondly because I did not want to be forced
into the Microsoft upgrade path. Also, as many of you may know, Microsoft
has created a deadline, July 31 to purchase the upgrade licenses, and the
National Park Service will probably buy into it service wide. Now, to be
honest with you, I don't have a problem buying into the desktop licensing,
what I am afraid of is the server side licensing. If we buy into it I hope I
am not forced to give up Linux and use WIN2K.

This is where I need your help. Can you direct me to some sources or give me
advice on how I can argue using Linux as a viable alternative to the single
WIN2K domain or at least participate in the domain as if it were a WIN2K
server? My limited knowledge of WIN2K domains exist as either a mixed or
native mode. Any issues with Samba here?

I did see this great article IT Week published comparing Windows 2000 with
Samba (http://www.itweek.co.uk/News/1131114).

I guess I'm just looking for tid bits or sources of info to educate myself
and help promote Linux in our enterprise.

Thanks for your help!

Mike