How many of you run Active Directory at home (As apposed to P2P)

DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

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We have 4-5 different machines at home, and i was thinking about running a server and using the client-server method using Active directory.

just wondering how many use this method at home rather than standard peer-to-peer networking.

The server will not only be used for AD. Will also be for central storage, bandwidth management, download console for me and a VPN server so i can access it from work.
 
I do it for testing purposes, i use a machine as a domain controller then connect my work laptop to that domain, its not permanent though the main machines are on workgroups, DC would have to be on all the time though, you can also tighten up permissions and the like, some tasks for you :p

WSUS server pushing out updates to clients
Group Policy for centrally managed configuration
Security Groups giving people access to shares local machines etc (dont forget delegation etc
Folder Re-Direction moving locations of "my documents" "desktop" etc
RIS server for easy builds of machines :)
 
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I run Windows Server 2003 with AD, Exchange etc. Overkill, but good for testing. I work in IT ;)

Dunc
 
It's certainly useful for a learning tool so I say go for it! I run a central server but it just handles file and email i.e. no domain controller but it is extremely useful.
 
I've been running it at home for around two years and its working pretty good. I wouldnt really consider it overkill it's definately helped out when everyone in the house wants office installed on their computers and stuff like that. And it's easier to control when various younger members of the household go on the computer :cool:
 
Its depends on what you needs are, personally i use it as im a network engineer, i adapt it to learn new skills and test new implementations yes it also simplifies connectivity between all the computers in your home as well as security due to the centralised nature of AD.

You can also build on that as mentioned previously, currently running F&P, Wsus, Exchange, ISA, IIS, SQL and MOM on several servers. this combined with a cisco lab, a firewall and a couple of switches makes for a good test environment.

But AD need not be expensive, you can run a domain controller off a standard Pc with a 10/100 network card..simple all you need is a *** (network operating system)
 
Curiosityx said:
But AD need not be expensive, you can run a domain controller off a standard Pc with a 10/100 network card..simple all you need is a *** (network operating system)
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Guess people mean the license ?

but i run it at home for testing only under VMWare, works ok. Don't have a dedicated machine for it though, mainly b/c don't want to leave a machine on 24/7 for no reason.
 
Im using it to better manage users at home, central storage facilities, backup facilities and for profiles.

Ill be using it to manage the ADSL line going into the house managing the bandwidth, its also being used as a download consolve for me which i can remote manage from work (using remote admin software) and also a VPN connection will be made from my office to the server.
 
Snow-Munki said:
Guess people mean the license ?

but i run it at home for testing only under VMWare, works ok. Don't have a dedicated machine for it though, mainly b/c don't want to leave a machine on 24/7 for no reason.
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Well technically yes you should license it even for virtual machines but i very much doubt anyone does for personal use.

Whether you have a deciated machine is purley personal choice but as said VmWare is equally as good, not so if it were a virtual machine hosting a domain controller and you run it on the same machine your trying to log onto though.
 
If you can, why not.

I ran it for a while but it was a bit too slow over wireless so i left it alone.
 
I run an SBS 2003 Standard Server, acting as - Domain Controller (AD), Sharepoint 2003 services portal, intranet site, VPN Server (L2TP), DNS, WINS and as a general file server for my network. Servicing about 8 machines.

I let my Ipcop box handle DHCP.

It's all of course complete overkill in hindsight, but what the hell, its fun to have a play around with and helps with work related projects.
 
There are currently 3 PCs and one laptop in my house at the moment with one linksys wireless router with another linksys router acting as as a switch for more ports.

I've setup a spare machine in my garage which is a P1.6 with a gig of RAM , 120GB disk and using it as a server as of a few days ago.

It is mainly for me to learn with but it will soon serve my network with VPN, DNS, DHCP, AD, WSUS and a central point for all comptuers on the network to backup to (this is important as my dad's publishing business has no offsite backup and the garage is a fair distance from the house and so would be good protection from fire).

It also will run PRTG to collect my router stats. I might put Itunes to share music and also a bit torrent client so i can download from that machine rather than leaving mine on all the time.

Massive overkill but as i say, it's mainly to learn from and it's all setup so that if the server were to go down (very likely when i'm playing around with it) then the router will still be the gateway and also be a fallover DHCP server.

All i need to do is get a network cable down there on saturday, at the moment it's using wireless :rolleyes:
 
I run server 2003 R2 licenced from my company with dns/ad/dhcp in vmware for test purpouses only. It is not overkill. It's called learning....

Especially if you work in a company who use it and you need to test somthing out in your own time.
 
I run a dc using 2003 server datacentre, however most of my pcs run on the workgroup - ive got the pcs i dont have monitors for logged into the domain and the rest on peer to peer. I also find the DNS Server very useful. Its only a dual p3 866, 512mb, 18.2gb scsi 10k rpm hard disk but it does the job well, also acts as my webserver. I dont use the dhcp server on the server, only from my router for my laptop to get its ip, the rest are set manually, sorry for waffling on.

ghgh
 
lol

its meant to only work on systems with more than 8 processors? apparently but it seems to run just fine on my duallie...might be overkill but it seems to function well.
 
ghgh said:
lol

its meant to only work on systems with more than 8 processors? apparently but it seems to run just fine on my duallie...might be overkill but it seems to function well.
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How much did you pay for that then :D :cool:
 
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