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diff --git a/docs/docbook/howto/samba-pdc-howto.sgml b/docs/docbook/howto/samba-pdc-howto.sgml new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..4b8380dd9e --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/docbook/howto/samba-pdc-howto.sgml @@ -0,0 +1,778 @@ + +<!DOCTYPE book PUBLIC "-//OASIS//DTD DocBook V4.1//EN"> +<book id="samba-pdc-howto"> + +<title>The Samba 2.2 PDC HowTo </title> + +<!-- ======================================================== + + To produce html from this file + + jade -E10 -t sgml -d html.dsl ntdom.sgml + + This assumes that html.dsl is present in the current dir, it includes + a couple of defines and then refers to the DSSSL html stylesheet. + + =========================================================== --> + + +<bookinfo> + <author><firstname>David</><surname>Bannon</> + <affiliation><orgname>La Trobe University</orgname></affiliation> + </author> + <pubdate>November 2000</pubdate> +</bookinfo> + +<dedication><title></title> + + <para>Comments, corrections and additions to <email>dbannon@samba.org</email></para> + + <para> + This document explains how to setup Samba as a Primary Domain Controller and + applies to version 2.2.0. + Before + using these functions make sure you understand what the controller can and cannot do. + Please read the sections below in the Introduction. + As 2.2.0 is incrementally updated + this document will change or become out of date very quickly, make sure you are + reading the most current version. + </para> + + <para>Please note this document does not apply to Samba2.2alpha0, Samba2.2alpha1, + Samba 2.0.7, TNG nor HEAD branch.</para> + + <para>It does apply to the current (post November 27th) cvs.</para> + + <para> + Also available is an updated version of Jerry Carter's NTDom <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html"> + FAQ</> that will answer lots of + the special 'tuning' questions that are not covered here. Over the next couple of weeks + some of the items here will be moved to the FAQ. + </para> + + +</dedication> + +<toc> </toc> + +<!-- ================ I N T R O D U C T I O N ==================== --> + +<chapter><title>Introduction</title> + +<para> +This document will show you one way of making Version 2.2.0 +of Samba perform some of the tasks of a +NT Primary Domain Controller. The facilities described are built into Samba as a result of +development work done over a number of years by a large number of people. These facilities +are only just beginning to be officially supported and although they do appear to work reliably, +if you use them then you take the risks upon your self. This document does not cover the +developmental versions of Samba, particularly +<ulink url="http://www.samba-tng.org/"><citetitle>Samba-TNG</citetitle></ulink> + + +</para> + + +<para>Note that <ulink url="http://bioserve.latrobe.edu.au/samba">Samba 2.0.7</> + supports significently less of the NT Domain facilities compared with 2.2.0 + </para> + +<para> + This document does not replace the text files DOMAIN_CONTROL.txt, DOMAIN.txt (by + John H Terpstra) or NTDOMAIN.txt (by Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton). Those documents provide + more detail and an insight to the development + cycle and should be considered 'further reading'. + +</para> + + +<sect1><title>What can we do ?</title> +<itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>Permit 'domain logons' for Win95/98, NT4 and W2K workstations from one central + password database. WRT W2K, please see the section about adding machine + accounts and the Intro in the <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</>.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Grant Administrator privileges to particular domain users on an + NT or W2K workstation.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Apply policies from a domain policy file to NT and W2K (?) + workstation.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Run the appropriate logon script when a user logs on to the domain + .</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Maintain a user's local profile on the server.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Validate a user using another system via smb (such as smb_pam) and + soon winbind (?).</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</sect1> + + +<sect1><title>What can't we do ?</title> +<itemizedlist> + <listitem><para> Become or work with a Backup Domain Controller (a BDC).</para></listitem> + <listitem><para> Participate in any sort of trust relationship (with either Samba or NT + Servers).</para></listitem> + <listitem><para> Offer a list of domain users to User Manager for Domains + on the Security Tab etc).</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Be a W2K type of Domain Controller. Samba PDC will behave like + an NT PDC, W2K workstations connect in legacy mode.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</sect1> + +</chapter> + + +<!-- ================== I N S T A L L I N G ===================== --> + +<chapter><title>Installing</title> + + <para>Installing consists of the usual download, configure, make and make + install process. These steps are well documented elsewhere. + The <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</> discusses getting pre-release versions via CVS. + Then you need to configure the server.</para> + +<sect1><title>Start Up Script</title> + <para>Skip this section if you have a working Samba already. + Everyone has their own favourite startup script. Here is mine, offered with no warrantee + at all !</para> + +<programlisting> + + #!/bin/sh + # Script to control Samba server, David Bannon, 14-6-96 + # + # + PATH=/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin + export PATH + case "$1" in + 'start') + if [ -f /usr/local/samba/bin/smbd ] + then + /usr/local/samba/bin/smbd -D + /usr/local/samba/bin/nmbd -D + echo "Starting Samba Server" + fi + ;; + 'conf') + if [ -f /usr/local/samba/lib/smb.conf ] + then + vi /usr/local/samba/lib/smb.conf + fi + ;; + 'pw') + if [ -f /usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd ] + then + vi /usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd + fi + ;; + 'who') + /usr/local/samba/bin/smbstatus -b + ;; + 'restart') + psline=`/bin/ps x | grep smbd | grep -v grep` + + if [ "$psline" != "" ] + then + while [ "$psline" != "" ] + do + psline=`/bin/ps x | fgrep smbd | grep -v grep` + if [ "$psline" ] + then + set -- $psline + pid=$1 + /bin/kill -HUP $pid + echo "Stopped $pid line = $psline" + sleep 2 + fi + done + fi + echo "Stopped Samba servers" + ;; + 'stop') + psline=`/bin/ps x | grep smbd | grep -v grep` + + if [ "$psline" != "" ] + then + while [ "$psline" != "" ] + do + psline=`/bin/ps x | fgrep smbd | grep -v grep` + if [ "$psline" ] + then + set -- $psline + pid=$1 + /bin/kill -9 $pid + echo "Stopped $pid line = $psline" + sleep 2 + fi + done + fi + echo "Stopped Samba servers" + psline=`/bin/ps x | grep nmbd | grep -v grep` + if [ "$psline" ] + then + set -- $psline + pid=$1 + /bin/kill -9 $pid + echo "Stopped Name Server " + fi + echo "Stopped Name Servers" + ;; + *) + echo "usage: samba {start | restart |stop | conf | pw | who}" + ;; + esac + +</programlisting> + +<para> Use this script, or some other one, you will need to ensure its used while the machine + is booting. (This typically involves <filename>/etc/rc.d</filename>, we'll be + assuming that there is a script called + samba in <filename>/etc/rc.d/init.d</filename> further down in this document.) +</para> +</sect1> + +<sect1><title>Config File</title> + +<sect2><title id=configfile>A sample conf file</title> + <para>Here is a fairly minimal config file to do PDC. It will also make the server + become the browse master for the + specified domain (not necessary but usually desirable). You will need to change only + two parameters to make this + file work, <filename>wins server</filename> and <filename>workgroup</filename>, plus + you will need to put your own name (not mine!) in the <filename>domain admin users</> fields. + Some of the parameters are discussed further down this document.</para> + + <para>Assuming you have used the default install directories, this file should appear as + <filename>/usr/local/samba/lib/smb.conf</filename>. It should not be + writable by anyone except root.</para> + + <note><para>The 'add user script' parameter is a work-around, watch for changes !</></> + + <programlisting> + + [global] + security = user + status = yes + workgroup = { Your domain name here } + wins server = { ip of a wins server if you have one } + encrypt passwords = yes + domain logons =yes + logon script = scripts\%U.bat + domain admin group = @adm + add user script = /usr/sbin/adduser -n -g machines -c Machine -d /dev/null -s /bin/false %m$ + guest account = ftp + share modes=no + os level=65 + [homes] + guest ok = no + read only = no + create mask = 0700 + directory mask = 0700 + oplocks = false + locking = no + [netlogon] + path = /usr/local/samba/netlogon + writeable = no + guest ok = no + +</programlisting> + +</sect2> + +<sect2><title>PDC Config Parameters</title> + + +<variablelist><title>There are a huge range of parameters that may appear in a smb.conf file. Some + that may be of interest to a PDC are :</title> + +<varlistentry><term>add user script</term> + <listitem><para>This parameter specifies a script (or program) that will be run + to add a user to the system. Here it is being used to add a machine, not a user. + This is probably not very nice and may change. But it does work !</para> + + <para>For this example, I have a group called 'machines', entries can be added to + <filename>/etc/passwd</> using a programme called <filename>/usr/adduser</> and + the other parameters are chosen as suitable for a machine account. Works for + RH Linux, your system may require changes.</para> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + + +<varlistentry><term>domain admin group = @adm</term> + <listitem><para>This parameter specifies a unix group whose members will be granted + admin privileges on a NT workstation when + logged onto that workstation. See the section called <link linkend=domainadmin> + Domain Admin</> Accounts.</para> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>domain admin users = user1 users2</term> + <listitem><para>It appears that this parameter does not funtion correctly at present. + Use the 'domain admin group' instread. This parameter specifies a unix user who will + be granted admin privileges + on a NT workstation when + logged onto that workstation. See the section called <link linkend=domainadmin> + Domain Admin</> Accounts.</para> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>encrypt passwords = yes</term> + <listitem><para>This parameter must be 'yes' to allow any of the recent service pack NTs to logon. There are some reg hacks that + turn off encrypted passwords on the NTws itself but if you are going to use the smbpasswd system (and you + should) you must use encrypted passwords.</para> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>logon script = scripts\%U.bat</term> + <listitem><para>This will make samba look for a logon script named after the user + (eg joeblow.bat). + See the section further on called <link linkend=logonscript>Logon Scripts</></para> + <note><para>Note that the slash is like this '\', not like this '/'. + NT is happy with both, win95 is not !</para></note> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>logon path</term> + <listitem><para>Lets you specify where you would like users profiles kept. The default, that is in the users + home directory, does encourage a bit of fiddling.</para> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + + +</variablelist> + + +</sect2> +</sect1> + +<sect1><title>Special directories</title> + <para>You need to create a couple of special files and directories. Its nice + to have some of the binaries handy too, so I create links to them. Assuming + you have used the default samba location and have not + changed the locations mentioned in the sample config file, do the following :</para> + + <programlisting> + + mkdir /usr/local/samba/netlogon + mkdir /usr/local/samba/netlogon/scripts + mkdir /usr/local/samba/private + touch /usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd + chmod go-rwx /usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd + cd /usr/local/sbin + ln -s /usr/local/samba/bin/smbpasswd + ln -s /usr/local/samba/bin/smbclient + ln -s /etc/rc.d/init.d/samba +</programlisting> + + <para>Make sure permissions are appropriate !</para> + + <para>OK, if you have used the scripts above and have a path to where the links are do this to start up + the Samba Server :</para> + + <para><command>samba start</command></para> + + <para>Instead, you might like to reboot the machine to make sure that you + got the init stuff right. Any way, a quick look in the logs + <filename>/usr/local/samba/var/log.smbd</filename> and <filename> + /usr/local/samba/var/log/nmbd</filename> + will give you an idea of what's happening. Assuming all is well, lets create + some accounts...</para> +</sect1> +</chapter> + + <!-- ================== U S E R and M A C H I N E A C C O U N T S ================ --> + +<chapter><title>User and Machine Accounts</title> +<sect1><title>Logon Accounts</title> + + <para><emphasis role=bold>This section is very nearly out of date already !</emphasis> It + appears that while you are reading it, Jean Francois Micou is making it + redundant ! Jean Francois is adding facilities to add users + (via User Manager) and machines (when joining the domain) and it looks like these facilities will + make it into the official release of 2.2.</para> + + + <para>Every user and NTws (and other samba servers) that will be on the domain + must have its own passwd entry in both <filename>/etc/passwd</filename> and + <filename>/usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd</filename> . + The <filename>/etc/passwd</filename> entry is really + only to reserve a user ID. The NT encrypted password is stored in + <filename>/usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd</filename>. + (Note that win95/98 machines don't need an account as they don't do + any security aware things.)</para> + + <para>Samba 2.2 will now create these entries for us. Carefull set up is required + and there may well be some changes to this system before its released. + </para> +</sect1> + +<sect1 id=machineaccount><title>Machine Accounts</title> + + <note><para>There is an entry in the ntdom <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</> explaining how to create + machine entries manually.</para></note> + + +<variablelist><title><emphasis>At present</> to have the machine accounts created when a machine joins + the domain a number of conditions must be met :</title> + +<varlistentry><term>Only root can do it !</term> + <listitem><para>There must be an entry in <filename>/usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd</filename> + for root and root must be mentioned in <filename>domain admins</filename>. This may + be fixed some time in the future so any 'domain admin' can do it. If you don't + like having root as a windows logon account, make the machine + entries manually (both of them).</para> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Use the <filename>add user script</></term> + <listitem><para>Again, this looks a bit like a 'work around'. Use a suitable + command line to add a machine account <link linkend=configfile>see above</link>, + and pass it %m$, that is %m to get machine name plus the '$'. Now, this + means you cannot use the <filename>add user script</> to really add users .... </para> + </listitem> +</varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term>Only for W2K</term> + <listitem><para>This automatic creation of machine accounts does not work for + NT4ws at present. Watch this space.</para></listitem></varlistentry> +</variablelist> + +</sect1> + +<sect1><title>Joining the Domain</title> + + <para>You must have either added the machine account entries manually (NT4 ws) + or set up the automatic system (W2K), <link linkend=machineaccount>see Machine Accounts</link> + before proceeding.</para> + +<variablelist> +<varlistentry><term><command>Windows NT</></term><listitem> +<itemizedlist> + <listitem><para> (<emphasis>this step may not be necessary some time in the near future</>). + On the samba server that is the PDC, add a machine account manually + as per the instructions in the <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</> + Then give the command <command>smbpasswd -a -m {machine}</> substituting in the + client machine name.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para> Logon to the NTws in question as a local admin, go to the + <command>Control Panel, Network IdentificationTag</command>.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para> Press the <command>Change</> button.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para> Enter the Domain name (from the 'Workgroup' parameter, smb.conf) + in the Domain Field.</para></listitem> +<!-- <listitem><para> Now enter a user name + and password for a Domain Admin <emphasis>(Who must be root + until a pre-release bug is fixed)</emphasis> and press + 'OK'.</para></listitem> --> + <listitem><para> Press OK and after a few seconds you will get a 'Welcome to Whatever Domain'. + Allow to reboot.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> +</listitem></varlistentry> + +<varlistentry><term><command>Windows 2000</></term><listitem> +<itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>Logon to the W2k machine as Administrator, go to the Control + Panel and double click on <command>Network and Dialup Connections</>. + </para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Pull down the <command>Advanced</> menu and choose + <command>Network Identification</>. Press <command>Properties + </>. </para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Choose <command>Domain</> and enter the domain name. Press 'OK'.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Now enter a user name and password for a Domain Admin + <emphasis>(Who must be root until a pre-release bug is fixed)</emphasis> and press + 'OK'.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Wait for the confirmation, reboot when prompted.</para></listitem> +</itemizedlist> + <para>To remove a W2K machine from the domain, follow the first two steps then + choose <command>Workgroup</>, enter a work group name (or just WORKGROUP) and follow + the prompts.</para> +</listitem></varlistentry> + + +</variablelist> + +</sect1> + +<sect1><title id=useraccount>User Accounts</title> + + <para><emphasis>Again, doing it manually (cos' the auto way is not working pre-release). + </emphasis> + In our simple case every domain user should have an account on the PDC. The + account may have a null shell if they are not allowed to log on to the unix + prompt. Again they need an entry in both the <filename>/etc/passwd</filename> and + <filename>/usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd</filename>. Again a password is + not necessary in <filename>/etc/passwd</filename> but the location + of the home directory is honoured. + To make an entry for a user called Joe Blow you would typically do the following :</para> + + <para><command>adduser -g users -c 'Joe Blow' -s /bin/false -n joeblow</command></para> + + <para><command>smbpasswd -a joeblow</command></para> + + <para>And you will prompted to enter a password for Joe. Ideally he will be + hovering over your shoulder and will, when asked, type in a password of + his choice. There are a number of scripts and systems to ease the migration of users + from somewhere to samba. Better start looking !</para> +</sect1> + +<sect1><title id=domainadmin>Domain Admin Accounts</title> + + <para>Certain operations demand that the logged on user has Administrator + privileges, typically installing software and + doing maintenance tasks. It is very simple to appoint some users as Domain Admins, + most likely yourself. Make + sure you trust the appointee !</para> + + <para>Samba 2.2 recognizes particular users as being + domain admins and tells the NTws when it thinks that it has got one logged on. + In the smb.conf file we declare + that the <filename>Domain Admin group = @adm</filename>. + Any user who is a menber of the unix group 'adm' is treated as a Domain Admin by a NTws when + logged onto the Domain. They will have full Administrator rights + including the rights to change permissions on files and run the system + utilities such as Disk Administrator. Add users to the group by editing <filename> + /etc/group/</>. You do not need to use the 'adm' group, choose any one you like.</para> + + <para>Further, and this is very new, they will be allowed to create a + new machine account when first connecting a new NT or W2K machine to + the domain. <emphasis>However, at present, ie pre-release, only a Domain Admin who + also happens to be root can do so. </emphasis></para> +</sect1> +</chapter> + + +<!-- ======== P R O F I L E S P O L I C I E S and L O G O N S C R I P T S ======= --> + +<chapter><title>Profiles, Policies and Logon Scripts</title> + +<sect1><title>Profiles</title> + + <para>NT Profiles should work if you have followed the setup so far. + A user's profile contains a whole lot of their personal settings, + the contents of their desktop, personal 'My Documents' and so on. + When they log off, all of the profile is copied to their directory + on the server and is downloaded again when they logon on again, possibly + on another client machine.</para> + + <para>Sounds great but can be a bit of a bug bear sometimes. Users let + their profiles get too big and then complain about how long it takes + to log on each time. This sample setup only supports NT profiles, + rumor has it that it is also possible to do the same on Win95, my + users don't know and I'm not telling them.</para> + + <note><para>There is more info about Profiles (including for W95/98) + in the <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</>.</para></note> +</sect1> + +<sect1><title>Policies</title> + + <para>Policies are an easy way to make or enforce specific characteristics across your network. You create a ntconfig.pol + file and every time someone logs on with their NTws, the settings you put in ntconfig.pol are applied to the NTws. + Typical setting are things like making the date appear the way you want it (none of these 2 figure years here) or + maybe suppressing one of the splash screens. Perhaps you want to set the NTws so it does not keep users profiles + on the local machine. Cool. The only problem is making the ntconfig.pol file itself. You cannot use the policy editor + that comes with NTws.</para> + + <note><para>See the <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</> for pointers on how to get a suitable Policy Editor.</para></note> + + <para>The Policy Editor (and associated files) will create a + <filename>ntconfig.pol</filename> file using the + parameters Microsoft thought of and parameters you specify by making your own + template file.</para> + + <para>In our example configuration here, Samba will expect to find + the <filename>ntconfig.pol</filename> file in + <filename>/usr/local/samba/netlogon</filename>. Needless to say (I hope !), + it is vitally important that ordinary users don't have + write permission to the Policy files.</para> +</sect1> + +<sect1><title id=logonscript>Logon Scripts</title> + + <para>In the sample config file above there is a line + <filename>logon script = scripts\%U.bat</filename></para> + + <note><para>Note that the slash is like this '\' not like this '/'. + NT is happy with both, win95 is not !</para></note> + + <para>This allows you to run a dos batch file every time someone logs on. The batch + file is located on the server, in the sample install mentioned here, + its in <filename>/usr/local/samba/netlogon/scripts</filename> and + is named after the user with <filename>.bat</filename> appended, eg Joe + Blow's script is called <filename>/usr/local/samba/netlogon/scripts/joeblow.bat</filename>.</para> + + <note><para>There is a suggestion that user names longer than 8 characters may cause + problems with some systems being unable to run logon scripts. This is confirmed in earlier + versions when connecting using W95, comments about other combinations ??</para></note> + + <para>You could use a line like this <filename>logon script = default.bat</> and samba + will supply <filename>/usr/local/samba/netlogon/default.bat</> for any client and every + user. Maybe you could use %m and get a client machine dependant logon script. + You get the idea...</para> + + <para>Note that the file is a dos batch file not a Unix script. It runs dos commands on the client + computer with the logon user's permissions. It must be a dos file with each line ending with + the dos cr/lf not a nice clean newline. Generally, + its best to create the initial file on a DOS system and copy it across.</para> + + <para>There is lots of very clever uses of the Samba replaceable variables such + ( %U = user, %G = primary group, %H = client machine, see the 'man 5 smb.conf') to + give you control over which script runs when a particular person logs + on. (Gee, it would be nice to have a default.bat run when nothing else is available.)</para> + + <para>Again, it is vitally important that ordinary users don't have write + permission to other peoples, or even probably their own, logon script files.</para> + + <para>A typical logon script is reproduced below. Note that it runs separate + commands for win95 and NT, that's because NT has slightly different behaviour + when using the <filename>net use ..</filename> command. Its useful for lots of + other situations too. I don't know what syntax to use for win98, I don't use it + here.</para> + +<programlisting> + + rem Default logon script, create links to this file. + + net time \\bioserve /set /yes + @echo off + if %OS%.==Windows_NT. goto WinNT + + :Win95 + net use k: \\trillion\bio_prog + net use p: \\bcfile\homes + goto end + :WinNT + net use k: \\trillion\bio_prog /persistent:no + net use p: \\bcfile\homes /persistent:no + + :end + +</programlisting> +</sect1> +</chapter> + +<chapter><title>Passwords and Authentication</title> + + <para>So far our configuration assumes that ordinary users don't have unix logon access. A change + to the <link linkend=useraccount><filename>adduser</></> line above would allow unix logon + but it would be with passwords that may + be different from the NT logon. Clearly that won't suit everyone. Trying to explain to users + that they need to change their passwords in two seperate places is not fun. + Further, even if they cannot do a unix logon there are other processes that + might require authentication. We have a nice securely encrypted password in + <filename>/usr/local/samba/private/smbpasswd</filename>, why not use it ?</para> + +<sect1><title></> +<sect2><title>Syncing Passwords</title> + + <para>Yes, its possible and seems the easiest way (initially anyway). + The <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</> details how to + do so in the sections <emphasis>What is password sync and should I use it ?</> and <emphasis> + How do I get remote password (unix and SMB) changing working ?</></para> + +</sect2> + +<sect2><title>Using PAM</title> + <para>Pam enabled systems have a much better solution available. The Samba + PDC server will offer to authenticate domain users to other processes + (either on this server or on the domain). With a suitable pam stack + such as <ulink url="http://www.csn.ul.ie/~airlied/pam_smb/"> Pam_smb</ulink> + you can get any pam aware application looking to the samba password and + can leave the password field in <filename>/etc/shadow</filename> + or <filename>/etc/passwd</filename> invalid.</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2><title>Authenticating other Samba Servers</title> + <para>In a domain that has a number of servers you only need one password database. + The machines that don't have their own ask the PDC to check for them. + This will work fine for a domain controlled by either a Samba or NT machine.</para> + + <para>To do so the Samba machine must be told to refer to the PDC and where the PDC is. + See the section in the NTDom <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</> called <emphasis>How do I get my samba server to + become a member ( not PDC ) of an NT domain?</></para> + + +</sect2> +</sect1> +</chapter> + + +<chapter><title>Background</title> + +<sect1><title></title> +<sect2><title>History</title> + + <para>It might help you understand the limitations of the PDC in Samba if you + read something of its history. Well, the history as I understand it anyway.</para> + + <para>For many years the Samba team have been developing Samba, some time ago + a number of people, possibly lead by Luke Leighton started contributing NT + PDC stuff. This was added to the 'head' stream (that would eventually + become the next version) and later to a seperate stream (NTDom). They did so + much that eventually this development stream was so mutated that it could not + be merged back into the main stream and was abandoned towards the end of 1999. + And that was very sad because many users, myself include had become heavily + dependant on the NTController facilities it offered. Oh well...</para> + + <para>The NTDom team continued on with their new found knowledge however and + built the TNG stream. Intended to be carefully controlled so that it can be + merged back into the main stream and benefiting from what they learnt, it is + a very different product to the origional NTDom product. However, for a + number of reasons, the merge did not take place and now TNG is being developed + at <ulink url="http://www.samba-tng.org">http://www.samba-tng.org</>.</para> + + <para>Now, the NTDom things that the main strean 2.0.x version does is based more + on the old (initial version) abandoned code than on the TNG ideas. It appears + that version 2.2.0 will also include an improved version of the 2.0.7 domain + controller charactistics, not the TNG ways. The developers have indicated + that 2.2.0 will be further developed incrementally and the ideas from TNG + incorporated into it.</para> + + <para>One more little wriggle is worth mentioning. At one stage the NTDom + stream was called Samba 2.1.0-prealpha and similar names. This is most + unfortunate because at least one book published advises people who want to + use NTDom Samba to get version 2.1.0 or later. As main stream Samba will soon + be called 2.2.0 and NOT officially supporting NTDom Controlling functions, + the potential for confusion is certainly there.</para> +</sect2> + +<sect2><title>The Future</title> + + <para>There is a document on the Samba mirrors called <emphasis>'Development' + </emphasis>. It offers the 'best guess' of what is planned for future releases + of Samba.</para> + + <para>The future of Samba as a Primary Domain Controller appears rosie, however + be aware that its the future, not the present. The developers are strongly committed + to building a full featured PDC into Samba but it will take time. If this + version does not meet your requirements then you should consider (in no particular + order) :</para> + + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para> Wait. No, we don't know how long. Repeated asking won't help.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Investigate the development versions, TNG perhaps or HEAD where new code is being added + all the time. Realise that development code is often unstable, poorly documented and subject to change. + You will need to use cvs to download development versions.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Join one of the Samba mailing lists so that you can find out + what is happening on the 'bleeding edge'.</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> +</sect2> + +<sect2><title>Getting further help</title> + + <para>This document cannot possibly answer all your questions. Please understand that its very + likely that someone has been confrounted by the same problem that you have. The + <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</> + discusses a number of possible paths to take to get further help :</para> + + + <itemizedlist> + <listitem><para>Documents on the Samba Sites.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Other web sites.</para></listitem> + <listitem><para>Mailing list.</para></listitem> + </itemizedlist> + + <para>There is some discussion about guide lines for using the Mailing Lists on the + accompanying <ulink url="samba-pdc-faq.html">FAQ</>, + please read them before posting.</para> + +</sect2> +</sect1> +</chapter> + +</book> |