Simply, is it possible to integrate a linux system into a win 2k+ network, including users, remote home etc.
NTFS drive = "U" (user filespace) can linux with a 2.4 kernel access that?
Also want to be able to pull user accounts off server, possible?

1) Yup
2) Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but no. 2.6 kernel will do it, even with (safe but limited) write support.
3) Rephrase that, or gimme an hour or so to wake up.

3) - i.e. network users rather than local accounts.
the profiles are stored on a server somewhere but thats not the point

i would like to have them logging on like in windows and be able to access their own folder on the U drive ONLY
(as well as the public so thats a job for SMBA?)

if we can get them logging on as on windows and with limited accounts, lery limited preferable (i.e. not even prompted for root password, just denied flat) then that would be good.

4) can you make certain users have neer root power without being root?

Yes it is definitely possible to integrate Linux systems into a Windows Domain. Check out this site: http://optics.ph.unimelb.edu.au/help...IN_MEMBER.html. It has good info on how to join a Linux machine to a Windows Domain via SAMBA.

Now, remote home directories. What machine are you wanting to store the home directories? A Linux or a Windows machine? If the home directories live on a Linux machine, you can again, use SAMBA to make them available on Windows clients.

...
Yes, that is possible too. If you want users logging into a Windows client authenticating against a server, then set up your Windows server to be a Domain Controller (Start --> Run --> (type "dcpromo"). Make all the user accounts on the Domain Controller, then set up the client machiens to join that domain. Now anyone logging into the clients will authenticate against the domain controller.

hmm, the link is about a server, i want a client that can pull the user profiles, passwords etc. off the windows ntfs server. at present its the only linux system on the network and i'm a student who obviously cant access the server.
can root access the server? as a SU can it bypass the windows security stuff? (just a thought coz if it can i need a REALLY secure password)
its a relatively old unit, with a K7 amd, debian runs in low mem mode. only prob with debian is that core install + X + gnome + kde + blender = full drive. (1.2gb) so going to try vector linux (recommended for low mem sys), only prob with that = i have no experience with that distro and nowhere to test it.
problems hey, makes you think windows is nice, then i booted it at home and was amazed that it only had one desktop...

Ohhhh okay I think I understand now. You want to be able to login to a Linux client, authenticating against a Windows server? Is that correct? If it is, the only way I can think of to do that would be to download, install, and run Windows Services for UNIX 3.5 on the Windows server. Part of Windows Services for UNIX 3.5 is a NIS service you can run. Configure and start that service and I believe that will allow remote Linux clients to authenticate against the accounts on the Windows server. I havn't actually tried this myself so I can't really help you in the actual configuration of that setup, but the help files that come with Windows Services for UNIX are quite helpful.

Yeah I know you don't have access to the Windows server, but maybe you can get an admin or something to install it for you *shrugs*

Good luck, keep us posted on your progress.

~Steve

not sure i can get admin to install it, but can i crack the server from the linux unit and install it remotely????? ;-)

Heh I dunno about that. To be safe though I would just tell the admin the setup you want to implement and maybe they'd be willing to help, or heck, maybe he'll know of a better way to implement your setup than the one I suggested. And of course maybe someone else on this forum will know of a better way, thats whats so great about it, many different ideas on how to do things come to light

Good luck again.

~Steve