Network User Logon Question

rsmith · 07-25-2005, 09:20 PM

Hey all, I have a setup that I'm faced with I haven't had much, if any, experience with. I have a Linux server setup with all of my client's user accounts created and ready to go. They recently ordered 17 new desktop machines -- all Linux based -- and want to be able to roam from machine to machine and have their documents/desktop follow them.

I know how to setup roaming profiles on Windows but have no clue on Linux. From what I can gather I have to either point the local machine to authenticate the user against the server's /etc/passwd or NFS mount the user's home directory from the server (which will have there .kde .gnome, .bash_history .bash_profile etc.

Am I on the right track? If so, or even if not, can someone who has done this before point me in the right direction?

Thanks in advance!

tkedwards · 07-25-2005, 09:28 PM

Quote:

NFS mount the user's home directory from the server

Yes this is generally the way to go. You may also want to look at setting up NIS (http://www.linux-nis.org/nis-howto/HOWTO/). Sorry I can't be more help - we run a Samba Domain for our authentication/file sharing needs because most of our client machines are Windows

Mig21 · 07-25-2005, 11:26 PM

Quote:

authenticate the user against the server's /etc/passwd or NFS mount the user's home directory from the server

authenticate against the servers passdw: NIS

AND then

nfs mount the home directory.

i've never done it either but we have exactly this setup at school (hundreds of machines) and it works great

rsmith · 07-25-2005, 11:49 PM

Can I do the mounting of the home directories instead of setting up NIS? I don't really want to screw with all thats involved with NIS. This setup I'm working on is for a school as well.

Mig21 · 07-25-2005, 11:57 PM

maybe you want something simple like what i have at home:

mount the entire /home directory from the server onto the client and no central authentication (that's what nis is for). then each client would have to have the same password file (it's important for nfs to have the proper UID for each user)

rsmith · 07-26-2005, 12:13 AM

That seems nicer and easier to setup but it doesn't seem like it would allow for roaming profiles.

C0NIk · 07-26-2005, 03:28 PM

i dont have a strong background English but seems i understand the problem ,

first edit in /etc/export and chose your file share and the hosts who authorized to login

start your nfs service

if i were wrong tell and i'll try to help you