Topic: Windows 7 connecting to SME 7.5.1 domain

[Frank VB]

I will be replacing an old laptop very soon and the new laptop will be preinstalled with Windows 7. I've searched through the forum, wiki and bugzilla to get up to date on the issue with Windows 7 computers joining a SME 7.5.1 domain controller. Apparently this is not yet possible and there is discussion if it ever will be. But according to comment 91 in bug http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=5423 it is possible for Win 7 computers to access shares (without having them to join the domain):

its worth pointing out that win7 in workgroup mode functions adequately
in an existing SME samba domain, at least where people don't roam
desktops.   You just match local credentials & workgroup to SME
credentials and domain then connect to the network drives.   A start up
script pointing to netlogon.bat will map the drives as well.

I would use this (temporary) solution until SME8 (final) is released.

Are there forum members who can confirm that this solution works? Are there any drawbacks/pitfalls to this solution? For example:
- roaming profiles can't be used (that is not a problem, I don't use them anyway)
- only the user account that is defined locally on the computer can log in on that computer (that also is not a problem)
- network drives apparently can be defined through scripting but will users have to enter their domain user account and password every time they access an ibay or only the first time they access it? This is a potential problem because users will complain that they have to enter passwords when accessing ibays while they didn't have to do this on Vista/XP computers.
- the Win 7 computer(s) will have to be rejoined to the domain when SME8 comes out. This means user profiles will have to be copied ...

Any ideas, suggestions are welcome.

Thank you.

[janet]

Probably the simplest solution is to upgrade your server to sme8beta. Even though it is beta it is in a very advanced state and as good/better than the current sme7 offering. Take care of course to read the sme8 notes in the wiki and be prepared for any issues that may occur during upgrades etc.
People have been using sme8 in production for a couple of years now without problems, where they have taken care to read upgrade "gotchas" BEFORE doing any upgrades.

[chris burnat]

If you stay with version 7 (a safe option...)

"- network drives apparently can be defined through scripting but will users have to enter their domain user account and password every time they access an ibay or only the first time they access it? This is a potential problem because users will complain that they have to enter passwords when accessing ibays while they didn't have to do this on Vista/XP computers."

No need to supply password if the Window's user is also a user on the server [same username & same password].
In other words, totally transparent unless of course you have placed restrictions on some of the Ibays mapped in Windows.

[Frank VB]

Thank you for replying, Mary and Chris.

Probably the simplest solution is to upgrade your server to sme8beta.

I'm also considering upgrading the 7.5.1 domain controller to 8beta6. However, I'm a little bit reluctant on upgrading operating systems, especially on production servers, to beta versions.

[janet]

Frank VB

Test 8beta6, you will be surprised how good it is.

The only thing beta about sme8 is that it has not yet reached final release, most functionality is there.
It's as simple as saying, if you want to use Windows 7 with domain logins etc, then you need to use sme8

[chris burnat]

Update:
For information about WIN7 support for Version 7, check this new WIKI:
http://wiki.contribs.org/Windows_7_Support

Warning: Updating to samba3  as above has not been tested fully - users are doing this at their own risks. 
Check: http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=6563

[turandot]

I am thinking of applying the Win7 support for SME 7.5.1. What effect will this patch have on the upgrade path? What will happen with the Samba installation if I update the patched 7.5.1 to SME 8.0 Beta6, SME 8.0 Beta7, SME 8.0 RC1, SME 8.0 final? Is there a chance to uninstall the Samba patch to 7.5.1 before upgrading to SME 8.0 xyz?

Thanks, turandot

[janet]

turandot

Personally I think you would have less chance of "problems occurring" if you use sme8beta6, as the samba upgrade for sme7 is unsupported, whereas sme8beta6 is supported.
The beta version is very good and many people have been using it in production (although not officially sanctioned).
Just make sure any "must have" contribs work with sme8 (check the sme8 wiki).
Otherwise wait until sme8 is released before using Windows 7 to join domains. The choices are very limited.

[chris burnat]

turandot

Personally I think you would have less chance of "problems occurring" if you use sme8beta6, as the samba upgrade for sme7 is unsupported, whereas sme8beta6 is supported.
The beta version is very good and many people have been using it in production (although not officially sanctioned).
Just make sure any "must have" contribs work with sme8 (check the sme8 wiki).
Otherwise wait until sme8 is released before using Windows 7 to join domains. The choices are very limited.

The Beta 7 Iso is about to be released over the next few day, you may wish to wait until this version is available.

[turandot]

Mary, Chris,

many thanks for your comments. Using the CD install, I played around with upgrading 7.5.1 to 8 Beta6 two test stations over the weekend, and that worked perfectly. Or better more or less perfectly: I lost the Internet connection while upgrading to 8.0 because my son accidentially switched off the LAN switch... Yum had a "hiccup", and I had to find out what to do:

Code: [Select]

yum clean all
yum updatesolved all the problems.

Therefore I decided to use 8.0 Beta6 on my production servers. This worked well too up to now: no hiccup

Thanks for your advice,

turandot

[bangkero]

hi i tried to install SME Server 8 beta 6, however i can't connect window server user to the domain?  Do I need to update? I just done installing clean sme server 8 beta 6.

[janet]

bangkero

Please see my answer on one of your duplicated posts.
Please only post your question once to these forums.