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On Tue, 7 Apr 2009, Richard Brown wrote: > Hi Gordon > > 2009/4/7 Gordon Henderson <gordon+dcglug@xxxxxxxxxx>: >> On Tue, 7 Apr 2009, Richard Brown wrote: >> >>> I believe there are two approaches to building a local area network >>> (lan). The usual approach certainly when using xp etc is to build a >>> workgroup around a cluster of computers all talking to a >>> switch/hub/router. The second approach seems to be around a domain. >>> And it is this approach that I want to try to learn more about. >> >> Workgroups and Domains are Microsoft specific paradigms. You'd be better >> off asking in a Microsoft forum. >> > Thanks for the reply. So how does Linux manage networks please? Linux doesn't manage networks. There are applications that run under Linux (and other Unixes) that perform various network related tasks - such as file sharing, routing, caching, controlling access, monitoring, and so on, but it's up to the implementor (ie you) to decide how the network is managed. So for example the assignment of IP addresses - that's a management task. Do you do it in your router (which may be a Linux device), or in a server somewhere? File sharing - Not strictly a management task, but if you want to share files from a Linux server to other Linux systems, then NFS may be the best choice. To share to Windows boxes then CIFS/SMB may be the best choice. NFS is built into Linux, but CIFS/SMB comes with a 3rd party bit of software called Samba. Samba is capable of emulating the functions of a Windows Domain controller, so if that's what you need then Samba may be able to help. Then there's management of the authentication for various systems - eg. file sharing. NIS works well for Linux boxes, but may not be the best for Windows boxes. And so on. But since you want to learn about Windows domains, then asking in a Windows group is still your best bet, then once you've learned how Windows does it, if you want to implement a Domain Controller under Linux, then read the Samba website and accompanying documentation. Gordon -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html