windows server 2003 active directory and fedora 7

spike_oki · #1 2nd July 2007, 08:30 PM

I need to get Fedora 7 to authenticate user logons using Windows Server 2003 Active Directory. Is there a way I can do this? I am a school administrator and have been assigned to switch all windows pcs to fedora 7 and keep the servers using windows. There is a way to do is and I tried but was not successfull and really need some help bad. I have a deadline and thats the beginning of the new school year witch is a month and half away. Please help me. Thank you.

Sean

William Haller · #2 2nd July 2007, 08:59 PM

I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering why the servers have to stay on Windows, when everything else is moving to F7. I'm sure somebody can answer the question you asked, but could you please enlighten us about the rationale. In most companies, it seems like it is the desktops that can't be changed due to applications and nobody really cares about the servers as long as they play well with Microsoft.

spike_oki · #3 2nd July 2007, 09:18 PM

Well William, I work for a school and was told by district that we were not going to get any more machines dues to the cost of the opearting system prices for windows. So I asked if I could get linux to work with the windows server can our school still be slotted for 100 brand new computers. They said if I could get it working and with out any problems that they would have me do this to the school but all the other schools in the distric. This would decrease our cost of computers alot. Windows isn't cheap, and if I could get a linux server to work I would just move to all Linux.

William Haller · #4 2nd July 2007, 09:50 PM

Try a google search for

fedora authenticate login active directory 2003

There may be something better that is fedora specific (the first links here were for RHEL), but that might be a start. Might also search for active directory on the forums.

InfRecursion · #5 2nd July 2007, 10:00 PM

Look into LDAP and Fedora Directory Server, you should be able to bind to the Active Directory through a few system calls. I'm actually working on an authentication method to AD from linux/solaris myself... although I'm going through Oracle Internet Directory instead of FDS.

bmeeks8 · #6 2nd July 2007, 10:24 PM

Fedora 6 and 7 work very well with Windows 2003 Server Active Directory. The only hang-up is you will have to manually create home directories for the users on the Linux boxes where they will login. I have not found an automated method for doing that.

Here is one good link on getting it to work. Takes about 10 minutes tops. It uses Winbind and Samba on Linux to integrate login authentication with Active Directory.

http://www.planetmy.com/blog/?p=248

spike_oki · #7 3rd July 2007, 04:23 AM

hey ill try it tomorrow on my test machine at school. if it works ill let u know and if it doesnt or have problems ill email u about them. thanks alot, u may be the life saver of the it program for my school discrict.

brandor · #8 3rd July 2007, 04:47 PM

http://www.infosecwriters.com/text_r...inux_TMunn.pdf

I used that guide to setup a webserver/file server running on centos4 to authenticate users from our AD.

It was pretty easy and straight forward. I don't have to create home directories or anything for the users. It's all automagical.

abubin · #9 3rd July 2007, 05:07 PM

isn't it better to make the servers running linux and workstations running windows instead? That would means workstations running wide range of apps.

With servers running linux, you also save a lot on hardware (as linux requires less resources) and save on windows server license. It's not cheap to buy license for per seat on server. With linux servers, it is much easier to configure.

Also, how come you are not getting student edition of windows? I am sure your school is eligible for that.

telepatico · #10 5th July 2007, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abubin

isn't it better to make the servers running linux and workstations running windows instead? That would means workstations running wide range of apps.

With servers running linux, you also save a lot on hardware (as linux requires less resources) and save on windows server license. It's not cheap to buy license for per seat on server. With linux servers, it is much easier to configure.

Also, how come you are not getting student edition of windows? I am sure your school is eligible for that.

Exactly. They also have cheaper licenses as well. That applies to teachers and students too.

There is a program called the MSDNAA or something like that.
Here is the link:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/academic/default.aspx

Google in for "ubmicro", a good one too.