Can linux act as a win server?

cdanik · 12-08-2006, 09:36 PM

Can linux act as a domain controller on a windows network?? Does it support DNS? Specifically ubuntu linux.

calumn · 12-09-2006, 07:30 PM

I don't know about Ubunutu but Fedora Core and all the other distros I know can act as DNS servers so I assume Ubuntu can. Im 90% sure it can because all the distros I have used/use can be a DNS server.

smartguy · 12-09-2006, 10:47 PM

YES!! it can be a win domain controller, you need a program called samba server. it allows a linux pc to not only host shares viewable to windows machines, but to be a domain controller, serving up roaming user profiles etc.... this took me about a year to find out. it is quite an extensive thing to set up, but it works. I know this because i was bored one day, so i set up a domain with a server and 1 client

. It was a while back, so i cant remember much, but i think you have to set the server to user mode, as opposed to share mode etc. btw, domain mode, is NOT what you need to use,this is for connecting to domains, dont get confused with this. and DONT use the GUI of samba for this, it doesn't allow you to do what you need to.

one last note: if you get problems on ur windows clients about not being able to access the profile, it is 90% of the time due to permissions on the server being set incorrectly(ie, disallowing access to the profile folder).

sorry, but i dont know much about DNS.
hope this helped.

cdanik · 12-09-2006, 11:17 PM

Yes it did help, one more question...

Is there a website for samba?

smartguy · 12-10-2006, 12:01 AM

samba.org

Markware17 · 12-10-2006, 09:38 PM

There is on thing you have to be sure of about your domain. If you are running a 2000 or NT domain, then Samba can be used as a PDC (primary domain controller) or SDC (secondary domain controller) using the LDAP backend. However, if you are running a Windows Server 2003 native domain, then Samba is only good for file and print sharing.

The main change was how DNS works in 2003 domains compared to earlier versions. All DNS information in 2003 domains is carried along with the Active Directory database. This change was made because now you can have secure dynamic updates to the SRV and other DNS records. Unfortunately, BIND doesn't support secure dynamic updates since they are integrated into Active Directory. BIND can however support dynamic updates, but it was only useful when 2000/NT domains were around and they still are today. However, if you want to take advantage of the full power of Active Directory in W2K3, you need to use native 2003 domains with W2K3 domain controllers.

12-08-2006, 09:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
cdanik Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Age: 16 Posts: 130	Can linux act as a win server? Can linux act as a domain controller on a windows network?? Does it support DNS? Specifically ubuntu linux. __________________ Free Hosting http://www.yfchost.com Last edited by cdanik; 12-08-2006 at 09:40 PM.

12-09-2006, 07:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
calumn Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Scotland, infront of my computer Age: 16 Posts: 256	I don't know about Ubunutu but Fedora Core and all the other distros I know can act as DNS servers so I assume Ubuntu can. Im 90% sure it can because all the distros I have used/use can be a DNS server. __________________ CompuTalk - Web Development & Computer Forum Calum Neilson's Website - Computer Stuff, Programming, Linux, Tutorials, Templates, Design, Fun Stuff, Games and More

12-09-2006, 10:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
smartguy New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8	YES!! it can be a win domain controller, you need a program called samba server. it allows a linux pc to not only host shares viewable to windows machines, but to be a domain controller, serving up roaming user profiles etc.... this took me about a year to find out. it is quite an extensive thing to set up, but it works. I know this because i was bored one day, so i set up a domain with a server and 1 client . It was a while back, so i cant remember much, but i think you have to set the server to user mode, as opposed to share mode etc. btw, domain mode, is NOT what you need to use,this is for connecting to domains, dont get confused with this. and DONT use the GUI of samba for this, it doesn't allow you to do what you need to. one last note: if you get problems on ur windows clients about not being able to access the profile, it is 90% of the time due to permissions on the server being set incorrectly(ie, disallowing access to the profile folder). sorry, but i dont know much about DNS. hope this helped. Last edited by smartguy; 12-09-2006 at 10:50 PM.

12-09-2006, 11:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
cdanik Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Age: 16 Posts: 130	Yes it did help, one more question... Is there a website for samba? __________________ Free Hosting http://www.yfchost.com

12-10-2006, 09:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Markware17 Silver Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: I'm not sure exactly, they keep me locked up in some remote data center. Posts: 136	There is on thing you have to be sure of about your domain. If you are running a 2000 or NT domain, then Samba can be used as a PDC (primary domain controller) or SDC (secondary domain controller) using the LDAP backend. However, if you are running a Windows Server 2003 native domain, then Samba is only good for file and print sharing. The main change was how DNS works in 2003 domains compared to earlier versions. All DNS information in 2003 domains is carried along with the Active Directory database. This change was made because now you can have secure dynamic updates to the SRV and other DNS records. Unfortunately, BIND doesn't support secure dynamic updates since they are integrated into Active Directory. BIND can however support dynamic updates, but it was only useful when 2000/NT domains were around and they still are today. However, if you want to take advantage of the full power of Active Directory in W2K3, you need to use native 2003 domains with W2K3 domain controllers. __________________ CRC failed...the end is near.

12-10-2006, 12:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
smartguy New Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8	samba.org

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