[Samba] Windows 2012 server as a member?

[Robert Wooden]

A conclusion to this episode. In the end W2016 Essentials became
problematic, in that when installed, it "demands" to become the ADDC
controller. Yes, it is possible to remove all the ADDC controller "stuff"
and make it a W2016 Essentials domain member server but, that removal
process was complicated, to say the least.

W2019 Essentials is a stripped down, use as a domain member server, file
sharing, simple server. Installation was straight forward. Easily joined to
my existing Samba 4 domain as a member server. It now running that
preparatory industry software that I required for my work.

Hopefully, this information will help others in some way.

Thanks everybody and above all thanks Samba Team!!


On Sun, May 5, 2019 at 7:16 AM Robert Wooden <bob at donelsontrophy.com> wrote:

> Within Windows documentation their is reference to W2012 Essentials being
> joined to an existing ADDC as a member server (file server.)
>
> It only made sense to me that like Samba 4 you can "turn off" or "not turn
> on" various features within programing. Their (MS) use the same software
> base for domain controllers and file servers just certain features
> activated and others not activated.
>
> I will move forward with a VM and install an "evaluation" version of W2016
> Essentials and join my existing Samba 4 domain. I fall goes well I'll be
> sure to reply here and document
>
> Thanks everybody..
>
> On Sun, May 5, 2019 at 2:49 AM Andrea Venturoli <ml at netfence.it> wrote:
>
>> On 5/4/19 11:15 PM, Robert Wooden via samba wrote:
>>
>> > Your statement backs up the information that I am "gleaning" from
>> various
>> > sources that W2012/W2016 Server (Essentials) CAN be  joined as a
>> > workstation OS machine.
>>
>> Foreword: I'm no expert on M$ licensing (and hope I'll never need to be).
>>
>>
>>
>> On your first question you just talked about W2012; now you add the word
>> "Essentials" to the picture.
>> AFAIK, this really makes the difference!
>> See, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_Essentials.
>>
>> A couple of sentences from there:
>> _ Windows Small Business Server must be the root of the Active Directory
>> forest.
>> _ Small Business Server always runs on the domain controller...
>>
>> So, if I understand it correctly: W2012 *Essentials* cannot be a member;
>> other editions can.
>>
>>
>>
>> I'd be glad if proved wrong.
>> HTH.
>>
>>   bye
>>
>
>
> --
> Thank you.
>
> Bob Wooden
>
>

-- 
Thank you.

Bob Wooden