Questions About Upgrading to XP Pro Using a Linux File Server

[bigpapi]

I am going to be upgrading from XP Home to XP Pro and i have a couple questions concerning the upcoming migration.


Currently i have 10 computers usings Windows XP (Home Machines) and 1 Linux File Server. each User machine has two accounts:

- User (Connects to the file server using a SAMBA Account)
- Admin

* The windows and SAMBA accounts have matching account names and passwords. SAMBA acts as a bridge between the windows users and the shared resources on the file server.


Also, on the Linux File server, there are user groups set-up, which certain users belong to.

IE: When the file server shares a folder to the group "staff", the users in that staff group have access to it from their windows computers.



1. Will i run into any problems upgrading from Home to Pro and trying to get this setup the way i need it?
2. Is there anything special i will need to do?

Any help or links you guys can provide me will be very appreciated.

thanks

 

[smah]

If you're doing an upgrade of the Windows OS (keeping the same machines, user accounts, software, etc.) no one will even notice the difference. If you are replacing or changing existing Windows machines with other Windows machines, you might have some minor name or group related revisions to do on the samba server that would relate to any changed machine or usernames.

The way that I read your question is the first case that I mentioned - OS upgrade to existing machines, no other changes. If that is correct, might I ask what is the reasoning/motivation for the upgrade? If you intend to change to a Windows domain style network, there will be significant changes to both the server & clients.

 

[bigpapi]

Actually what i really need to know is if you can setup a domain controller with XP Pro and Linux and if there will be any problems in setting that up.

I'd like to be able to enforce password changes, but i need those password changes to then be reflected in the Samba accounts. Right now we log on locally and what i think we would like is to basically log on to the SAMBA account directly through a domain.


I think this can be done by making the linux/Samba file server into a PDC.

However, i don't know for sure. If you know how to do this or can direct me to a place where i can find out how in like a step by step form that would be fantastic.

thanks

 

[smah]

Yes, it Samba can be a PDC for an NT style domain. You might want to head over to forum865 & start with something like this

http://daniel.fiser.cz/?go=samba