Directory Integration: eDirectory, Active Directory, and Open Directory
What does it mean to do a directory integration? If you ask a TC Networks Engineer the next question we will have for you is how do you want it to work? There is no one real answer for answering that question. At TC Networks, we strive to make sure products work the way you need them to on your network. So when we have a directory integration project, one of the early things our Project Manager will work with you on is determining your goals.
So that we can get you in the right direction, lets break down a common Open Directory integrated Novell Directory or Active Directory project. Traditionally Education Institutions come to us saying we have a Novell infrastructure and want to implement some Apple systems to use Podcasting and CreativePro applications. We have 5 goals with these:
- Have the user (be it staff or student) log into an iMac or a MacBook with their Novell/Microsoft credentials
- Not edit media content over the network directly on our Novell/Microsoft servers
- Access their home directories and group folders on the Novell/Microsoft servers, without multiple password prompts
- Allow a staff member to take their MacBooks off campus and still allow them access to their laptop including logins, home directory files and media rich files.
- We need to restrict items on the systems from certain users like System Preferences, certain Applications and implement a proxy entry for the web browser.
That can be a tall order, fortunately for you you have visited the correct place and have a good set of goals. To allow for this to happen, we implement what is called a "dual-bound client". A dual-bound client is a OS X client that is connected to both the Novell/Microsoft servers and the OS X server. The Novell/Microsoft server provides the user authentication & attributes, home directory and any other group shares. The OS X Server will be also bound to the Novell eDirectory or Active Directory server, which allows it to set preferences on users, workgroups and clients. The OS X Server preferences are extensive and one of the major features is the ability to control users "Mobility". Mobility manages the synchronization settings between the Novell/Microsoft file server and the OS X Clients. Note however, this is not just a synchronization of files, it is a synchronization of the entire account. This allows a laptop to be taken off-site and work just as it did while it was directly on the network.
A Novell/Microsoft integration project has deliverables that need to be defined for a successful installation. Please contact us for more information to take advantage of this great solution for your technology infrastructure.