Hey guys, I'm new to the game here and am looking to expand the functionality of win 2003 server using active directory. Right now we have a win 2003 server that we are using just for file shares, a unix file share server, and a novell email server. Our 100 + clients are using novell authentication through windows. No real active directory schema has been implemented. My question is how easy will it be to create an active directory service to combine all services(trusts i guess). Any feedback on this would be great. thanks

Not easy. From how you're describing it already, you don't have a fundamental understanding of AD. You NEED that before you deploy it. Buy a book and read first. "How many squirrels had to die to make you look fly?!"

wise, I'd have to agree. Buy yourself a good book on 2003 Server/Domain Administration. It will be just what you need to get started. Good luck. :) Life is more painless for those who are brainless.

Remember that Active Directory is an authentication system first and foremost - sounds like you already have that with Novell (it's called eDirectory). Ask yourself clearly what you want to gain by introducing Active Directory. If the gains are real, then have a look at "DirXML" - Novell's product for synchronizing eDirectory with Active Directory http://searchwebservices.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid26_gci511670,00.html "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - BILL CLINTON

Scarey to do on a production environment with 100 + users. If it has to be done soon, have a consultant do it and watch/learn (may be the best way to go anyway as a book might not give you all you need in a mix mode)

Thanks for the comments everyone. I was hoping to create a central point of administration since right now none of the users are actually on a domain, no group policy etc,etc. Also I was hoping to incorporate the other servers into AD using trusts. It sounds like a bit more research is in order before dropping the hammer on this one. Thanks again

Hmmm....unless you have a Novell Netware 3.1 server or earlier, you DO have a domain, just not in those terms. Do you think only Microsoft does centralized management???? Active Directory came on the scene in 2000, only about 8 years after others were doing centralized LDAP based authentication.... "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - BILL CLINTON