I want to replace my Active directory windows2003, what linux os best suite?
 

I want to learne linux server is there any linux OS can handle like active directory that can hold username & password for a lots of user? If probable Graphcical.

Thanks...

I think Fedora Core would suit your needs. Any Linux distribution should be configurable to your needs as long as it adheres to the Linux kernel, but Fedora is a free version of Red Hat that works well for non-enterprise environments, and you'll see Red Hat installations more frequently in businesses than some of the other distributions. It definitely provides full integration with Active Directory by using a standard called LDAP which is actually part of AD.

This Fedora Core will allow WinXp OS as client?

Yes.

Another viable alternative on RHEL based distros is CentOS. It provides somewhat more stability/reliability, because of inclusion of very stable and tested applications. Fedora usually have cutting edge/latest technologies.

You can also have a look on other alternatives ie Ubuntu, FreeBSD.

Hello cooljai,

I noticed that you answered yes for Bertolomo's question on whether the Fedora server can function as an AD server to Windows XP clients.

As far as I know, the stable releases of Samba, version 3 and under, only support AD client functionality. Active Directory Server support is only mentioned in Samba 4 that is still in alpha state and not fully supported and buggy. Please correct me if I am wrong.

SLES 10 is quite GUI friendly and a superb server for LDAP file / print server etc.

Quite a good walk through is: http://www.flexbeta.net/main/printarticle.php?id=88

But note. the article is for version 9. Currently they are at version 10, so thing aren't exactly is the exact same places in the instructions, but they are close.
Good Luck!

cAm

Thanks, interesting article. I am assuming SLES10 is not free (then no compelling advantage over Microsoft). So, the next question would be:

How can we implement the equivalent of SLES10 on Fedora to get the primary domain controller functionality?

I am sure I can get there if I fiddle with LDAP and Samba 4 configurations for many hours.

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Microsoft Active Directory is an implementation of LDAP. Linux supports LDAP both as a client and as a server.

As usual, WikiPedia provides a good overview at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Directory.

Microsoft also has considerable information on the subject.

The essential idea is to allow centrally-controlled management of resources, services, and users. Now, one must never expect a bunch of computer-programmers to do this in an elegant, efficient and simple way ... :) ... nor should you expect Microsoft to "leave well enough alone" when presented with a standard. :D But it does work.

What you'll be faced with is a little bit more "issues" on the Microsoft side, but that's actually very manageable. Any installation that has a mixture of hardware and software will be doing the same.

If anyone in these forums has successfully implemented a working primary domain controller with SLES10 wherein you are successfully authenticating and authorizing Windows XP Prof client PCs and domain users,

Please share with us the conf files for LDAP, Samba, and Kerberos, and any other advise or tips. Many thanks.

Ed

I have. I followed the article mentioned. SLES10 Is free, but you get no support or patches unless you pay.(i think thats right).

Sorry cant give you CONF files etc, even if I did they probably wouldn't work for you anyway. How about you try it in a test environment and see how you get on?