Not really a Server question, but a workstation question

[iolair]

We have six computers in a public area that allow internet access for students. Instead of adding hundreds of thousands of users, is there a way to allow users to create their own logon and password at logon? For example, I'd like to have a way for the user to enter their student ID as the username when they logon to these public computers. The computers are running either Windows XP Pro, or Windows 2000. TIA.

Iolair MacWalter
Director of IT

 

[itsp1965]

Iolair if these are student IDs then it would be prudent to perform a mass import of new Student IDs from an Excel or text file (as opposed to adding them invididually). It is dangerous to provide student's the right to create their own accounts and passwords since this would allow them access to other accounts and passwords also (which I am sure you do not want).

 

[58sniper]

Just for my own clarification, these are machines that are not part of any AD forest that currently holds those user accounts?

Pat Richard
Microsoft Exchange MVP

 

[iolair]

Right, these machines just attach to the internet for student use. They just use it as a research tool, but the boss wanted to be able to track them, at least somewhat.

How do I get the Excel sheet to create users? Do I "import" the file into the registry somehow? I'm new at this, and the other folks who know how to do this work with Netware and Unix. Can the directory in Unix do this for the Windows clients?

Thanks in advance.

Iolair MacWalter
Director of IT

 

[itsp1965]

If you are adding users to a workstation with no connection to an AD domain, what you can do is run the good old ADDUSERS resource kit tool (NT/2000). You can create a spreadsheet based on the requirements of the tool and export it to a txt file and simply import it using the tool.
Ex)
[Users]
Student1,A Student1,Passw0rd,,,,,
Student2,B Student2,Passw0rd,,,,,
Stduent3,Joe Student3,Passw0rd,,,,,

[Local]
Users,,student1,Student2,Student3


If this workstation is connected to AD, you can use the CSVDE and LDFIDE tools in order to import.
I am sure there are spreadsheet templates already out there for this purpose

Hope this helps.

 

[iolair]

Thanks. They are not connected to an AD domain.

Iolair MacWalter
Director of IT