Can a linux server support a Windows Domain ?

Question

I would like to migrate a Windows 2000 Server to a Debian linux as server, and want to know if the Linux can build up a Domain, like de Windows' AD does, with the profile support abilities, centralized account manager, etc.

I've heard that it's not possible, that I could only build a Workgroup, and the windows clients (with local accounts) could access the server's network folders providing the credentials (another ones, stored at the linux server). (but if both of them were equal, user/pass, it would me automatic and transparent to the user).

But the windows profiles accounts I've heard that isnt possible with a linux server, so Samba couldn't support saving the user profile data at the server, and syncronizing it automatically at logon/logoff time, also don't allowing the user to logon in another machine and having his current profile automatically loaded.

In this network users does use some of these capabilities, but I'd like more having a Linux as a server.

Is it possible?

Answer 1

Short answer; it isn't possible. Active Directory is a Microsoft proprietary version of an LDAP database. The only way to get an Active Directory domain to run is to use a Windows server platform. Period.
That said, you could use VMWare, or some other form of virtual server, to run Windows and Linux on the same box....

Answer 2

A Linux server does not require the "CAL" licensing of a homestead windows server, so it may host as many as you like interior reason. Linux has no limits on connections (employing Samba case in point). Default connections for workgroups is generally 10 connections for homestead windows, and a server demands licenses for a hundred consumers (quite some $$$)