> I have an NT4 PDC that I would like to replace with a Samba server. My > network also has a box running MS Exchange and Backoffice > (not the same box as the PDC). > > What's the general roadmap for doing this?
Phil: Funny you should ask.... :-) I'm two-thirds of the way down this path as I write this. What I did was create a new domain and do a cut-over. I've a get a semi-complete blog of the server build-up process here: http://web.qx.net/kcollins I will be adding *much* more information to the site over the next month as I complete the cut-over and roll out. I may even try to put a HOWTO on there showing everything I did - step by step. I can tell you what I did and if needed, we can talk details later on... My NT Setup was: I had three offices each with their own NT4 PDC. My main office had a PDC, an Exchange 5.5 box and a print server/BDC. Each of my remote offices had a PDC serving their little part of the world. I had 2 one-way trusts enabled between each of the offices so everyone could *see* everyone else. The first thing I did was to build a lab of 4 or 5 machines, played around with some things and finally settled on building an LDAP enabled PDC here and placing a "BDC" in each remote office that would be LDAP replicas. This is because Samba 2.2.x doesn't support traditional BDCs nor Domain Trusts. This forced me to re-think and re-design my Domain layout. All of this became obvious in the lab, as did most of the roll-out/cut-over procedures. Because there was so much at stake and I couldn't have the working domain down, I did a side-by-side buildup of the new PDC on new hardware and did a cutover of the main office over the 4th of July weekend. This severed the trusts and pretty much isolated each of my remote offices. This past weekend I rolled out one of the new "BDCs" in a remote office and brought them back online. I'm planning on pulling the last office in this coming weekend. The tricky-est thing I had to do was "transplant" Exchange. I did it in a "non-typical" way that worked, but it's not for the weak-hearted. If you want to know, I'll tell you... If you are fortunate enough to have a "spare" Exchange box, the process is would be a little more forgiving. Samba 3.x is supposed to be a must more complete replacement for NT4. This would include TRUSTS and PDC/BDCs as well. If you have the time, I would probably wait for 3.x to come out. Circumstances in my situation wouldn't allow it. Give yourself plenty of time - this isn't something you cobble together in a weekend. I did it (planning/lab/roll-out) in about 2-and-a-half months and I feel I rushed it. Make sure your PDC/BDC has plenty of RAM. I've got no less than 768M in my machines and I feel pretty comfortable with that. I've not had to "hit the swap" once - yet! Good luck and yell if you need anything. -- Kevin L. Collins, MCSE Systems Manager Nesbitt Engineering, Inc. -- To unsubscribe from this list go to the following URL and read the instructions: http://lists.samba.org/mailman/listinfo/samba