RE: New drive mapping question

From: Joe Pluta

> This is the part I don't get.  What the heck is a Windows
> domain and how do you create one? 

A Windows Domain is a logical grouping of computers that share common
security and user account information. This information is stored in a
master directory database (SAM) which resides on a Windows server
designated as a domain controller. 

There are two kinds of controllers in a Windows NT domain; a single
Primary Domain Controller (PDC), and --optionally-- one or more Backup
Domain Controllers (BDC). The PDC automatically replicates it's master
directory database to each of the BDC's.

The word "Domain" does not refer to any particular computer, or network
configuration. It is an administrative concept. A single domain
constitutes a single administrative unit.

Typically, one would choose whether or not to configure a computer as a
domain controller during installation of the NT Server software. 

> Do you have to have a box
> running a special (server) version of Windows to be the 
> domain server?  Or can a W2K workstation be a domain server?  

A domain requires any Server license. An NT Workstation cannot be a
domain controller, nor can a W2K Workstation. W2K Server may emulate a
domain controller, but domains are no longer the native administrative
tool in a Windows 2000 network; they have been dropped in favour of
Active Directory.

> Can a Linux box be a domain server?  Can an AS/400 (with no
> integrated PC card) be a domain server?

Yes to both. 

Linux provides this functionality through the software known as "Samba".


The AS/400 provides this functionality through the IPCS, or through
Netserver. Netserver is equivalent to Samba. The IPCS is of course a PC
installed on your AS/400, and therefore is able to run NT/2K Server
itself.

For additional information relevent to the AS/400 implementation, refer
to the following links:

Netserver:
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/iseries/v5r2/ic2924/info/rzahl/rzahldmnlog
onspt.htm

Windows Server on iSeries (aka IPCS)
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/iseries/v5r2/ic2924/info/rzahq/rzahqntspo.
htm


Regards,

John Taylor