[Samba] A set of questions before building a new server

[Robert Moskowitz]

On 12/08/2014 09:11 PM, Robert Moskowitz wrote:
> I have a Samba server here with 4 users and 4 XP systems.  Kind of 
> small, but it does the job.  It is running as a PDC with roaming 
> profiles.  I should note that I left professionally supporting Windows 
> networking around the time XP came out, so I have maintained an 
> NTDomain through a number of incarnations (NT, Win2000, Samba2/3) and 
> use of someone elses packaging.  This time I want to use as 
> direct-to-Samba as I can.  All I want with this server is to be a 
> Samba server to Windows (and maybe Linux) machines.
>
> I have new hardware, an armv7 board that I can run either Redsleeve 6 
> (Centos 6 arm port) that has Samba3 or Fedora 21 that has Samba4. I 
> have new XP systems (updated with 'SP4' and right now standalone) 
> ready to use this server.  I will have to migrate 2 of the old 
> systems.  The new server can be on a new subnet with a new rfc1918 
> network address.  I will also be serving gobal/static IPv6 addresses 
> on this new network.  At some point I may actually have a new Windows 
> OS system, but there is no pressure here to do that.  My family is so 
> far content with Office 2003!
>
> So a set of questions come up:
>
> Do I migrate from NTDomain to AD, or stay with NTDomain for a few more 
> years?  Actually can be a total fresh build of AD.

As I read more, it seems to be prudent to run the AD controller separate 
from the file server.  I do not want/need mulitple boxes here, now will 
I go into VMs for this.  So it looks like staying with NTDomain for me.  
Plus stay with what I have some experience with.

> Does AD require Samba 4?  I have looked at the Wiki, and have not seen 
> this clearly stated, but that is probably my reading challenges.
> Does AD support roaming profiles?
> I like that AD has the LDAP built in.  But do I still need an LDAP 
> admin tool for AD?
> If I stay with NTDomain, what LDAP tool to use?
>
> As I start building, then rebuilding the new server, I know I will 
> have more questions.  Hopefully most will be on the Wiki, and I will 
> be able to find them.
>
> thank you
> Now back to reading more on the Wiki and elsewhere
>