Topic: SME server, Linux workstation

[Wilheim]

I have nutted out the authentication problem: NIS does the trick. Except, now I have to map user's home directories to the SME server using NFS. Once this is done, I will attempt a how-to. Very exciting...

[Wilheim]

I've done it! How-to to follow as soon as I can remember the steps to get to the finished product...

In brief, I:
1) Installed NIS using the how-to found on this site.
2) installed "e-smith-nfs" rpm
3) Edited the /etc/exports file to export the /home/e-smith/files/users directory. Note that this is where the home directories are defined in the server's /etc/passwd file, this is important later
4) Installed the 'e-smith-usershellaccess' rpm. This may be a security issue since it gives shell access to the server... allow shell access to the users through the server manager page.
5) Setup the Xandros OC edition workstation (based on Debian Sarge for reference purposes) to use NIS authentication
6) As root, edit /etc/fstab to mount the server's exported filesystem in, and this is important,
/home/e-smith/files/users - create this path manually if neccesary.
7) All good! Obviously there's missed steps here, but I'll wipe my Xandros install at some point and try and recreate it logically, writing down as I go. The SME server is running my house right now, so I can't wipe that.

But, since this works, and Xandros is similar enough to Windoze to fool most of the people most of the time, there is the possibility to save some serious cash... at my work we have a proposed network of 15 PC's, so we save ($150X15 for workstation +$1500 for server + too much for the MCP dickhead to install it =) over $5000... plus have that warm fuzzy feeling that we're sticking it to Bill.

[d6hq]

Will be very interested to read the howto Wilheim - the ability to do proper logon no matter what workstation being used is a must have.

We have not really used any Linux desktop in a production environment but all our tests with various flavours of desktop have suggested that Xandros coupled with Crossover Office is the closest to what we need.

Note the only reason for adding crossover office into the equation is to run Lotus Notes which on the last test carried out worked seamlessly in this environment. We already run our internal Domino servers (and some customer ones) on SME utilising Qmail as an anti-virus/anti-spam front end to the Domino SMTP server running on a dedicated IP as does Apache etc.

With IBM Domino Express licencing at only £95 a head we can build a true SME server incl domain logon, file & print, a/v, anti-spam, full backup and REAL groupware that absolutely kills M$ Small Business Server when you cost up all the bits of software you would need to achieve the same result.

Lets see that howto

[Wilheim]

Hi all
I'm about to wipe my SME box (some f#cker hacked it, I think, else I did too much experimenting and it fell into a giggling heap...) and recreate the NIS/NFS thing... documenting as I go.
But, I need a question answered first: how does one get /etc/fstab to run before login, ie at bootup? The issue at hand is the scheme I have works fine, but I have to log in as root first to mount the nfs share containing the e-smith home directories before login to KDE will work on the Xandros w/s.
bye bye for now.

[Wilheim]

I've done the how-to, but where to put it?

Is there a place on this site where I can dump the html file then link to it?

please help!!!

[Wilheim]

it's up : at http://no.longer.valid/phpwiki/index.php/NIS%20Authenticated%20Linux%20workstation%20on%20an%20e-smith%20server
Please feel free to help with the detail, although the issues such as the sound card not working are probably due to permissions on the Xandros box and as such are outside the scope of this forum. Incidentally, I fixed the sound issue by


chmod 777 /dev/dsp


but I'm sure there's a more elegant way.

[Damian]

I'm amazed that people still don't know how to search the forms and end up reinventing the wheel.
See http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=25381.0
I know it's more of an adventure to work it out yourself and you will remember it more clearly that way, but still, search before you post )
Damian

[Wilheim]

Ah Damian. Damian damian damian.

I read your form (sic) and I will use the information collected later on, especially the automount stuff. A collated how-to is what I really wanted when I started down this dark path...

I'm amazed that people still don't know how to search the forms and end up reinventing the wheel.
See http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=25381.0
I know it's more of an adventure to work it out yourself and you will remember it more clearly that way, but still, search before you post )
Damian

The problem is, that despite the semi-religious fanaticism regarding Linux, it's NOT easy to reproduce the domain-style authentication possible with M$ crud.  There is a distinct lack of comprehensible data on this style of networking we're discussing here, hence, 'reinventing the wheel', as you say. Not everyone's a guru, please remember that when you give discipline to others.