Management Blues

[0ddball]

So my boss has thrown Windows Server 2003 at me and told me to go set up some user accounts and home directories. He must have been reading books again because I'm not a server admin and never have been.

He expects me to do this without training and without and budget. I'm going to either kill him or get this sorted, so I turn to my favourite source for advice - you folks

Heres my problem spec:

I'm running one Windows 2003 Advanced Server Enterprise (don't ask, thats my IT budget he's using there I think, I sure don't get any) machine. I have a total of 45 Windows XP Pro workstations (they were just machines before, I guess they're workstations now) spread across three sites. My imediate problem is rolling this out at this site though. 25 machines all running Windows XP. We have approx 490 users (!!! - more PCs please) but hey dont log in to Windows using the login prompt. That is done automaticaly when the machines loads up and then it loads the NetTime client software (

http://www.nettimesoftware.com)

and DeepFreeze Std. (

http://www.deepfreezeusa.com/index.htm)

to keep our clients in one piece. This is for ease of use, as our users have no IT training at all and no clue either. We can NOT get rid of the NetTime software. I do, however, know how to take the user account that logged in and do stuff with it.

I need to know how to configure my server to allow someone to just log in from a command prompt (ie. by a script that executes when NetTime logs in) and mount a home directory to their H: drive on the Workstation.

Now - this is a rant, you may have noticed. I'll answer specifics about my situation as you ask them.

If you can help me, you'll probably save my sanity and my boss's life. Double edged sword really.

--> Oddball

 

[snootalope]

Go to a command prompt and type "net use ?" and you'll get this..
C:\>net use ?
The syntax of this command is:
NET USE [devicename | *] [\\computername\sharename[\volume] [password | *]]
[/USER:[domainname\]username]
[/USER:[dotted domain name\]username]
[/USER:[username@dotted domain name]
[/SMARTCARD]
[/SAVECRED]
[[/DELETE] | [/PERSISTENT:{YES | NO}]]
NET USE {devicename | *} [password | *] /HOME
NET USE [/PERSISTENT:{YES | NO}]

That's how you map a drive from the command prompt.. But are you wanting to get a command prompt in that freeze software?? ya know what, I never used it so i probably shouldn't even try..

peace

 

[0ddball]

*grin*

I know that I'm not completly in the dark about networking - I'm just completly in the dark about Windows NT and its kids.

Need to set up user accounts for everyone, allocate them a home directory then make a small command prompt style bit of code that mounts their directory when they enter a Username and password. It would be easy if I could do it as they log into windows, but I can't.

 

[snootalope]

Sure ya can. Use a logon script. create a batch file that's executed each time someone logs on.. or if your using Active Directory, the option is right there under the Profile settings!

 

[0ddball]

No, I mean my users DON'T log into windows. We leave Windows logged in for them.

They log into third party software. Like I say, it would be easy if they logged in, but they don't.

 

[crashax]

Why does your boss push this 3rd party S/W?? Is he a stock holder? Or just an idiot?

 

[bierhunter]

I know you don't have a choice in this, but letting the workstations just log in themselves and not controlling this at the user level is a huge security hole. Every single person that uses a network system needs to leave an audit trail.

Personally, I'd be secretly looking for another employer. The scenario you painted leads me to believe that you are not allowed to have any control over the network, but I'm sure you're held accountable for it. That is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Zelandakh]

they must switch on at some time.

Either set their local account to run the logon script, or tell the boss that to get it going they gotta authenticate to the server. Then it is easy.

As bier says, SECURITY HOLE! Run away...