Domain server question and using VMWare or VirtualBox

[willhub]

Hi.

Well I'm just wanting to learn about server more and I want to configure Active Directory and get some computers to log in via domain but also any files/folders I place on the account to be synced to the accounts on all of the computers, any changes made also synced across.

Now first question is, any guides to do this?

Secondly, can this be done just via the use of virtual machines? I only have one computer available so if I set up 2-3 virtual machines could they all interact with each other?

Thanks.

 

[Andre]

Well I can answer No.2 - Yes, they can all interact.

Using Virtualbox for your purposes, you can either have them all share a private network, or be part of your main network

 

[J.B]

You need to look at roaming profiles in AD, this will transfer different users settings when they log in. It will also let you specify a home folder for them so the My Documents is a network drive. Theres a couple of different ways to set up home folders on the network.

You can do it all virtually providing you have enough resources but an AD and a couple of clients won't take up too much resources. I would suggest doing it using an internal network in VirtualBox, this means all the machines can talk but wont be interacting with your main network. This way you can set up DHCP as well without disrupting your normal network.