Looking for Linux sysadmins

[Buchan]

Hi all,
I work as an NT sysadmin with a company that runs a medium sized network. We are currently exploring the possibility of moving our NT shares to a Linux server running Samba. I am looking for other IT professionals who have done the same thing just to ask some basic questions.

My boss is currently VERY nervous about making this move and would like to talk to anybody who is using a linux distro as a server or other form of major systems management.

We are In Calgary Alberta Canada so anybody close by would be even better.

I don't know what sort of response I will get from posting here but I couldn't think of a better way to at least get some response. If anybody out there knows of any message boards closer to where I'm at let me know.


Thaks a lot

[Rob 'Feztaa' Park]

Well, I'm not running linux on any kind of network, but I have some suggestions for you before you switch:

- take a course or buy a book. Although linux is fun to learn on it's own, you don't have time for that because downtime due to not understanding your OS is unacceptable

- install it on a test system first to help you get your hands dirty in your linux learning. That way if something goes terribly wrong, your actual network is still alive.

- ask another system admin about it (as you just did...)

[wreckd]

I really wouldn't be too concerned about this. Samba has turned out to be a great app...even when serving as an NT domain controller. Acting as a file server is No Big Deal (tm).
If you don't want to learn Linux yourself, you're doing the basic right thing: find someone knowledgable to do the initial setup (I suggest Progeny Debian!). Hook up a big honkin drive, and turn off all services except smbd/nmbd. Install SWAT (Samba Web Admin Tool) and anyone will be able to handle the Samba administration stuff, piece of cake-- no Linux knowledge needed. I assume you'll want authentication against a PDC, which I believe is "Server authentication" when you get to that point.

I'd love to help you, too bad I live in Atlanta ;). At any rate, if you wanted to try for yourself I'd be glad to help walk you through on the phone or by email.

[Buchan]

Hey all thanks, I do have the test system up and running I definately didn't want to just throw it up on the network and see what happened. I have Samba up and running and I'm able to connect with the windows clients to just a global share. Its running great, the hard part is convincing the boss that "Linux" is not a evil word. He seems to think that the only reason its being used by anybody is because its free.

The only serious problem I am having is getting the authentication to work properly. I know Samba can't be a BDC but I'm not sure what other options I have other than to add each user individualy... we have 80+ users... NOT fun :eek:

I may take you up on the offer of phone support if you've done this ascend... thanks

Anybody else out there ??

Thanks guys

[ 14 July 2001: Message edited by: Buchan ]