RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
David, the way to best reduce total cost of ownership on any network (and the amount of work you have to put in on it) is to go to a standardized desktop environment where possible. The fewer hardware and software configurations an organization has, the easier, theoretically at least, it will be to manage the infrastructure. So, were I in your shoes, I would work on getting a standard approved for workstations on the network and begin implimenting it before I tackled selling them AD. Win 2K Pro or XP Pro would be my choice for the standardized OS. The easiest way to sell this to the bean counters would be to highlight the insecure and unstable nature of all Win9x boxen and the subsequent TCO. Keep track of the hours spent troubleshooting, rebooting, cursing, etc. 9x boxen as compared to 2K/XP boxen on your network. Present them with articles discussing the lack of security in win9x (including Me). Basically, build a well documented case for standardization with an OS designed for corporate environments. Include the benefits of centralized administration from a domain, such as security, remote administration, automated back-ups, the potential to add email services, and the like. But I would seriously look at establishing some kind of base-line for workstations... it will really make your job easier in the short and long terms. Good luck! John A. Bjelke UNISYS [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Original Message- From: David Bradford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 7:19 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
Sounds like a WINS issue. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Darren Sykes Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 09:27 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Forgot to add - you don't need to upgrade all of the workstations to Windows 2000. They'll be OK running the current OS's - though not the easiest to manage with loads of OS specific problems likely to arise. What do you mean by disappearing off the network? Do you mean they cannot be contacted (PING'd etc) or just that they cannot be seen in Network Neighbourhood?. Darren. -Original Message- From: David Bradford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 11 July 2002 14:19 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
If you happen to be involved in any healthcare related industry all you have to say is "Active Directory meets all of the required information security procedures set out by HIPAA and the Feds." If you are not involved in a healthcare related field, you can try my old techniques: - Running into your bosses office, screaming and kicking, "I WANT NEW SERVERS!", then holding your breath 'till you turn blue. - Ensuring your existing DC's have a nasty accident with a cup of coffee. (Licking the processors also seems to work, and you can claim you read it somewhere on Tom's Hardware Guide). - Have your boss sign an erronious form with a piece of carbon paper under the signature line, which just happens to be on top of a purchase order for two new servers and licensed copies of Win 2K server. Oh, and Charile outlined some other stuff... ;) -Original Message- From: Charlie Hope-Lang To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 11/07/2002 9:25 AM Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? A few things to think about, Greater stability for servers Greater Stablility for Users Centralised Data storage Centralised control of all desktops Data security ie EFS Server consolidation. Remote control of desktops (XP) Things such as these can be directly attributed to a cost saving. The cost saving is what makes managements eyes light up. Put some rough figures against these for the current environment then put some for the proposed environment. Work out a cost against them then sell the management on the cost savings. Cheers Charlie -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 11 Jul 2002 14:23 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? David, I'd certainly suggest upgrading the file servers and making them DC's. The cost should be far less than an additional 2 servers. Using a workgroup is a short term measure and any company growing at a reasonable rate (10 new users at once) surely would benefit from a bit of forward planning to get a scalable IT infrastructure. What makes you think your existing servers are running at capacity? CPU? Memory? Disks? Darren. -Original Message- From: David Bradford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 11 July 2002 14:19 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ << File: ENVELOPE.TXT >> -- http://www.channel5.co.uk/ -- List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
Lemme take a shot at this and mention CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT!!! I would think that that would be the ultimate reason for AD. The goal is to always think beyond of the existing setup. 10 users today could be 20 next month. Why take the chance and still be diddling with a workgroup when you can get AD going and save on ROI & TCO. Allowing you to manage the network centrally alone shows ROI. So add into the equation the addition of 2 servers. This, in the long run, will prove to be pennies spent when compared to what's saved by allowing for centralized management thru AD. Leave the file servers as they are and just add 2 new DC's and you'll be fine. You may, I say MAY, want to consider a print server, but that's just my opinion. The choice between W2K Pro & XP is a toss up, depends on how feel about all of the added features provided in XP. I myself am still a fan of W2K Pro, and rarely use XP, even when I'm at home. Again Centralized Management = ROI & TCO. HTH... -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of David Bradford Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 9:19 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
A few things to think about, Greater stability for servers Greater Stablility for Users Centralised Data storage Centralised control of all desktops Data security ie EFS Server consolidation. Remote control of desktops (XP) Things such as these can be directly attributed to a cost saving. The cost saving is what makes managements eyes light up. Put some rough figures against these for the current environment then put some for the proposed environment. Work out a cost against them then sell the management on the cost savings. Cheers Charlie -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 11 Jul 2002 14:23 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? David, I'd certainly suggest upgrading the file servers and making them DC's. The cost should be far less than an additional 2 servers. Using a workgroup is a short term measure and any company growing at a reasonable rate (10 new users at once) surely would benefit from a bit of forward planning to get a scalable IT infrastructure. What makes you think your existing servers are running at capacity? CPU? Memory? Disks? Darren. -Original Message- From: David Bradford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 11 July 2002 14:19 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ << File: ENVELOPE.TXT >> -- http://www.channel5.co.uk/ -- List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
Forgot to add - you don't need to upgrade all of the workstations to Windows 2000. They'll be OK running the current OS's - though not the easiest to manage with loads of OS specific problems likely to arise. What do you mean by disappearing off the network? Do you mean they cannot be contacted (PING'd etc) or just that they cannot be seen in Network Neighbourhood?. Darren. -Original Message- From: David Bradford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 11 July 2002 14:19 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
Why did adding the 10 users to different machines ? Were you giving them LA rights? -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of David Bradford Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 09:19 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
RE: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory?
David, I'd certainly suggest upgrading the file servers and making them DC's. The cost should be far less than an additional 2 servers. Using a workgroup is a short term measure and any company growing at a reasonable rate (10 new users at once) surely would benefit from a bit of forward planning to get a scalable IT infrastructure. What makes you think your existing servers are running at capacity? CPU? Memory? Disks? Darren. -Original Message- From: David Bradford [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 11 July 2002 14:19 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ActiveDir] Why Active Directory? Hi all; For the last 2 months I've been given the additional job of "part time" network admin for my company's network. Its currently 80 workstations, 2 windows 2000 servers and about 10 HP printers. The workstations run either Win98/WinMe/Win2k Professional or WinXP Home/Pro. Its all running in workgroup mode and it's a pain in the butt to maintain user accounts/passwords etc etc. 10 New users joined us today and they needed access to both win2k servers and various printers connected to various workstations, so off I went adding the same 10 users to all the different machines. Additionally, Winme and XP home sometimes can, sometimes cant see the network. A reboot almost always cures the problem. Very annoying. Of course, keeping track of service packs/patches - even deploying normal apps is a monumental task. I can see why the previous network admin left! Basically, the network is becoming unmanageable. I'm familiar with AD and its obvious to me that a proper directory service will do wonders for the network but management seem to think everything is running OK at present so why would they want to buy 2 more servers to act as domain controllers and upgrade everyone to either win2k or WinXP pro? The existing win2k servers are used as our fileservers and are pretty busy so upgrading them to DC's wouldn't be desirable. Basically, I need some reasons that I can present to management why AD will be such a great thing for us, I've suggested user management/deploying apps as advantages but they don't seem impressed. What else can I add? Thanks; David Bradford List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/ List info : http://www.activedir.org/mail_list.htm List FAQ: http://www.activedir.org/list_faq.htm List archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/activedir%40mail.activedir.org/
