Date: 03/09/05 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: database, web, linux

Hi all,

I'm the new network admin for a boarding school. They were without an IT person for a while and as a result have almost zero infrastructure. I'm wanting to build things up the right way so I don't have to tear stuff down later.

Anyway, we have a lot of different clients. Mostly Windows and Macs, but some Linux boxes as well. I don't have much experience with multi-platform environments. What is the best choice for directory authentication? How much of a pain is it to get Macs and Linux to authenticate off of Active Directory? How much of a pain is it to get WinXP to authenticate off of OpenLDAP or NIS? We aren't doing anything terribly fancy. Basic file and print sharing, a couple of databases, etc. the school has its email hosted outside, but I'd like to bring that inside eventually. We have one Win server, 2 Mac servers, and a handful of Debian servers, though all of this is subject to change. The network isn't providing much in the way of services, just your basic web access, DHCP, DNS, etc.

I realize this is a relatively open question, but any discussion and advice would be great. Thanks.

Source: http://www.livejournal.com/community/computergeeks/627593.html