I am trying to implement a NAS running Debian to replace the Windows 2003 file server. We implemented the system and we integrated it with the active directory. Is it possible to manage the access rights using windows tools and get the same amount of detail(not the right word) on access.

As an example, we have the following folder structure:

Teams&Projects All users list, admins full
Team1 All users list, admins full, some users modify
Project1 All users no access, admins full, some modify, some list

I have read some articles on the internet that this is possible but I do not have enough information to implement this.

Not really the current Samba implentation and Linux design don't have the same ACL type of access as Windows. If I may make a suggestion you may want to try http://openfiler.com I am a big Fan of Debian, but openfiler may suit your needs better, it canbe used to turn a box into a NAS or SAN device. If you want windows managed file permissions and the fine grained detail that windows AD will offer operating openfiler in SAN mode connected directly to the server by a patch gigabit cable may be the way to go. using the iSCSI initiator in windows (download from MS if need be) the SAN device will look like another harddrive to the server and it can be formatted and used just like local storage.

That link (openfiler.com) is broken:

Openfiler Wikipedia® page

Thanks archtoad, maybe openfiler is no longer being developed I notice that I can't get to the homepage either, I hope it is just a temporary server issue as I used a test Virtual machine with it and it was great. Especially since I am looking to deploy a SAN based on it.

Good news, it's working again.