Setting up a linux server to authenticate windows users

alan.me · 01-17-2007, 12:27 PM

Hi,

I'm not too sure if this is the place for this thread.

I was wondering if anyone could help, I have recently set up a Ubuntu 6.10 server using an old PC (700MHz, 64MB RAM, 4GB HDD), the distribution is in text mode due to the lack of resources. I am looking to centralise most services on a home network onto this server. I wanted to know if there was any way to authenticate both windows and linux users from this machine. I can install and set up NIS on it for Linux users, and the machine doesn't have enough power to run a windows server in a virtual machine. Can samba authenticate windows users or can windows machines login to something other than active directory.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

gizza23 · 01-17-2007, 01:53 PM

Try looking into these products: LDAP, PAM, and Kerberos.

alan.me · 01-17-2007, 02:37 PM

Ok thanks.
I'll try them as soon as I can.

xjlittle · 01-17-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Can samba authenticate windows users or can windows machines login to something other than active directory.

Yes windows machine can use samba as a login server quite nicely. LDAP is overkill for a home network unless you just want to learn about using it with samba. Be prepared for a steep learning curve though.

A good place to start is here: http://us1.samba.org/samba/docs/man/Samba-Guide/

In his book at that location John Terpstra starts you off small and help you grow your network. It's told in a story format and very easy to follow. It will take you from basic samba server to enterprise level ldap if that is what you want.