Can we deploy NethServer to replace Windows AD?

[bsprakash (Prakash B S)]

I know it sounds silly… But I want to reconfirm.
I want to get rid of AD CAL, when I am exploring I came across Zentyal and Nethserver.

I want to manage the following:

• User Authentication for on premise and remote location office users.
• Adding Windows, Linux and if possible Mac.
• Giving access for shared folders.
• Group policy deployments.
• Changing wall papers for all user by publishing from server.

Please guide, what kind of limitations we will have if I use Nethserver.

Performance wise I don’t prefer Zentyal
I remember there is feature called Floating IP in Zentyal. Is that kind of future available on Nethserver?

Thanks in advance,
Prakash

[bwdjames (James Nesbitt)]

@bsprakash

• User Authentication for on premise and remote location office users.
  → As long as there is connectivity to the server, this should work

• Adding Windows, Linux and if possible Mac.
  → Windows - yes. Linux - yes. Mac - Not a clue, maybe someone else from the forum can give a more definitive answer on this specific point.

• Giving access for shared folders.
  → Yes - there is that option.

• Group policy deployments.
  → Nope.

• Changing wall papers for all user by publishing from server.
  → This would be a group policy related. An alternative would be to deploy the wall paper by using a login script.

Have a look at this thread here and here. They may have additional information which can help

[bwdjames (James Nesbitt)]

For the Floating IP in Zentyal, I am not sure if that feature is available.

[bsprakash (Prakash B S)]

@bwdjames

the

Group policy and stuff…
Can’t we achieve using RSAT Tools?

[bwdjames (James Nesbitt)]

The RSAT tools are an option.

Something else to consider - The vast majority of GPO objects are essentially just a group of Registry entries which you are changing. You could have a login script which imports the relevant registry entries for a given user.