[Samba] Roaming profiles with Samba3

[Jerry Haltom]

Roaming profiles are not a function of a domain controller really. The
only thing the PDC is responsible for is handing the PATH of the profile
off to Windows. From there Windows can take over and royally fuck it up
to no end.

Problems with roaming profiles:

1. If any portion breaks (incorrect  permissions on a single file in
their start menu), the entire profile load aborts, and the user uses a
temporary profile.

2. They merge... incorrectly. If you have a person log onto two
computers, both computers download the profile, and make modifications,
and then both upload again when you log off. Some files are overwritten
from each copy, usually creating a mess.

3. When logging off, sometimes the profile unload. Reasons vary. Usually
it's a legitimate reasons: server is slow, etc. Either way, you have
modifications locally which haven't been synched remotely... or of which
half have been synched. Logging onto aanother computer loads this broken
copy. Logging off unloads, and replaces it on the server. Logging onto
the original box creates a merge of the local and remote profiles:
usually breaking stuff.

They work if you can guarentee the following: Nobody logs on twice. The
server is up all the time. Nobody touches the files.

None of this is Samba's fault.

On Tue, 2003-12-09 at 12:44, Jason Williams wrote:
> Good morning everyone.
> 
> I wanted to ask the people on this list who are currently using roaming 
> profiles with samba 3 how it is working? I worked a little with roaming 
> profiles with 2.2.8a, but it was not working as well as I wanted it to and 
> im hoping that samba 3 roaming profiles are working pretty well.
> 
> Our network here is really calling for roaming profiles to be a major 
> option here. Our CEO wants the ability for users to be able to log into any 
> terminal on the network with their username and password...roaming profiles 
> is what im hoping to use here.
> 
> Im setting up a test box here, but have not yet had time to test roaming 
> profiles.
> WIth that in mind, anyone care to share how roaming profiles are working?
> Any tips or suggestions on ways to improve roaming profiles on my end?
> 
> Lastly, is it possible to setup a hours of operations for shares on samba? 
> For example, maybe you only want shares to be available during buisness 
> hours and closed on the weekends. Is there a way to do that with samba, or 
> would you need to use something like the poledit utility?
> 
> I appreciate everyones feedback and help.
> 
> Jason
-- 
Jerry Haltom <jhaltom at feedbackplusinc.com>
Feedback Plus, Inc.
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