Hello, I have a question. My school has got three Linux boxes which I (17 year old student) have been elected to admin. The schools network is running on a Windows 2000 server, and when a student logs in from a Win9x client, they have their own folder on the server which is mapped to their H drive. I think I need more details on how this happens from the techie.. Is it possible to (using, say gdm?) have the users log in with a user name and password that is on the server, and use samba to mount their home drive, and the shared drive, and when they log-off, unmount them?
Also, there are worries of the Linux boxes being able to crack into the server, is this possible?

Eager to learn,
Stu.

Ok, we need a little information here. Are the linux boxes going to be used as desktop boxes, like your Win9x boxes, or will they be servers?

With a properly configured 2000 server the linux boxes per se are no real threat.

Cheers--
Charles

They are going to be used as desktop boxes, just like the win9x machines. The only server I will have running is ssh, so I can keep an eye on the machines when I'm not in the room..

Rock on
~Stuart

Then, I recommend a good desktop linux like Redhat, Mandrake or the like. I run Redhat, among others, and it is easily configured to add a linux box to a Windows Workgroup, so drives on the server can get mapped to the local RH box. Not too dissimilar to Windows, except the boxes are much easier to administer. You can create several accounts per box and if you configure them correctly, keeping root's password secure, prevent users from accidently or intentionally rendering the box useless.

Cheers--
Charles

Thanks Charles!

No problem! You'll have your work cut out for you learning about networking and the like, but the GUI interface can help ease your burden up front. I highly recommend, however, that you also learn to do from the command line what you will end up doing from the GUI. It will be a great learning experience.

Cheers--
Charles