RE: New drive mapping question

Friends,

If we're putting stuff in the archives, I'd like to add a few comments
because I believe there are some inaccuracies and/or dated information in
the text below.

> On Behalf Of John Taylor
> Subject: RE: New drive mapping question
> 
> 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.

The domain database in Windows 2000 is now stored in the Active
Directory, a distributed database which is served via a modified DNS
server.

> 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.

PDC and BDC are no longer used except in the NT configuration.  The
domain controllers are now peers in a Windows 2000 configuration.  They
all replicate to each other.

> 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.

Domains are still the model in Windows networking.  While there have been
some changes since NT 4.0, the basic concepts are the same and they are
still referred to as domains.

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

I think that Joe's question was really, "Can an AS/400 or Linux box be a
domain controller?"  The answer is no.  I'm not that familiar with Samba,
but I do know the AS/400 and it cannot be the Domain controller.  It is
allowed to participate in the network, and share files and printers.  I
believe the same is true of Samba.  But then again, I may have
misunderstood Joe's question.

> 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/rzahldmnlo
> g
> onspt.htm
> 
> Windows Server on iSeries (aka IPCS)
> http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/iseries/v5r2/ic2924/info/rzahq/rzahqntspo
> .
> htm
> 
> 
> Regards,
> 
> John Taylor
> 
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