How to join MacOS Snow Leopard to a Windows Domain

[Sniffer2112]

Is there a way to join a Mac computer running Snow Leopard to a Windows domain running Server 2008?

I am pretty new to Macs (and loving them!) but I'm not sure how to join them to a domain. And I'm not even sure if it's possible.

I've tried browsing the web but could not find anything that was helpful.

-Todd-
CCNA, A+

**Mathmatics affects 7 out 5 people each day**

 

[pentode]

This may help a little although it is site-specific:

http://kb.wisc.edu/ams/page.php?id=12248

 

[imeldesign]

It is very possible. I have a direction sheet I posted to my website. Read BOTH scenarios and choose the best option. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.imeldesign.com/files/macwithwindows.pdf

 

[Sniffer2112]

I added domain.local to my DNS list.
Then went to the Directory Utility and used these settings:
- Active Directory Domain: domain.local
- Computer ID: iMac
- Advanced Options:
- User Experience TAB:
- Create mobile account at login (unchecked)
- Force local home directory on startup disk (checked)
- Use UNC path from AD to derive network home location (checked)
- Network protocol to be used: SMB
- Default user shell: /bin/bash (checked
- Administrative TAB:
- All three options are checked

With these settings I clicked on Bind and it would not get past step 1: Searching for Forest/Domain information
The error: Invalid Domain

The iMac is on the same network as the server with correct ip addresses.

-Todd-
CCNA, A+

**Mathmatics affects 7 out 5 people each day**

 

[Sniffer2112]

Added note:

In Directory Utility, I do have Active Directory 6.0 checked.

-Todd-
CCNA, A+

**Mathmatics affects 7 out 5 people each day**

 

[fizzak]

Works with 10.4 on a 2003 infra, 10.5 is gymped I could never get password reset policy to work on it. 10.6...?
Watch out for laptop users, 10.4 and 10.5 will try to authenticate over wifi 1st and then finally fall over the cached account after 10 minutes if not wired into the LAN. I had to make a logon script to shut off airport during login.

- Active Directory Domain: real domain server name
Advanced Options:
- User Experience TAB:
- Create mobile account at login: checked!! unless you want users to not roam with laptops or desktop users be delayed if the domain server goes down.
- Force local home directory on startup disk: Unchecked
- Use UNC path from AD to derive network home location (checked)
- Network protocol to be used: SMB
- Default user shell: /bin/bash (checked - Administrative TAB:
- Allow administration by:
"domain"/domain admins
"domain"/enterprise admins
"domain"/domain users

 

[Sniffer2112]

Well I used the above settings and after having to reset the iMac clock to match the Server2008 clock, the iMac joined the domain!! I could see imac under Active Directory Users & Computers.

So I was able to log into the iMac with an account created from the Server2008 AD.

The only thing was that there were no desktop icons, could not get into the computer files or change the desktop settings. I'm sure that has something to do with Group Policy. I'm studying for the MCSE right now and still need to get to that section.

I thank you all who posted in helping with this matter.

-Todd-
CCNA, A+

**Mathmatics affects 7 out 5 people each day**