Server login via LAN...

I need to know if there's a way to login to an AD server (Windows Server 2003
Enterprise Edition) without logging into the domain.

For example, wth a Netware client, I we can set our local workstations to
not automatically login to our Netware servers on startup. Instead, I can
simply login or logout, via shortcut, at any time I desire.

Is there any way to accomplish the same sort of activity between
workstations (Windows 2000 Professional) and the AD server mentioned above?

Thanx.

In news:8DEACF37-F32E-4FCC-ADA5-(E-Mail Removed),
John Wright <(E-Mail Removed)> stated, which I commented
on below:
> I need to know if there's a way to login to an AD server (Windows
> Server 2003 Enterprise Edition) without logging into the domain.
>
> For example, wth a Netware client, I we can set our local
> workstations to not automatically login to our Netware servers on
> startup. Instead, I can simply login or logout, via shortcut, at any
> time I desire.
>
> Is there any way to accomplish the same sort of activity between
> workstations (Windows 2000 Professional) and the AD server mentioned
> above?
>
> Thanx.

You don't 'have to login', nothing forcing you, if that's what you mean. In
the security logon box, if the machine is joined to a domain, you can either
logon to the domain or to the local workstation. Of course many companies
restrict local machine logons due to security policies. If that's the case,
then yes you'll need to logon with your domain account.

However, if you are logged on to a workstation with an identical name and
pwd on the domain, you can access the domain easily with mapped drives,
UNCs, etc. When logging on to Office Outlook (not OEx) with a configured
Exchange profile, it will prompt for credentials.

--
Ace

This posting is provided "AS-IS" with no warranties or guarantees and
confers no rights.

Having difficulty reading or finding responses to your post?
Instead of the website you're using, I suggest to use OEx (Outlook Express
or any other newsreader), and configure a news account, pointing to
news.microsoft.com. This is a direct link to the Microsoft Public
Newsgroups. It is FREE and requires NO ISP's Usenet account. OEx allows you
to easily find, track threads, cross-post, sort by date, poster's name,
watched threads or subject.

It's easy:
How to Configure OEx for Internet News
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=171164

Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT, MVP
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
Microsoft Certified Trainer

Assimilation Imminent. Resistance is Futile
Infinite Diversities in Infinite Combinations

"Very funny Scotty. Now, beam down my clothes."

The only thing in life is change. Anything more is a blackhole consuming
unnecessary energy.

Yep, I know there's nothing forcing the user to login to the domain (unless a
policy is in place restricting local logins), but that is actually not what I
was referring to.

If the only way to access resources on the AD domain controller is to login
to the domain, then I have another question.

When you join a computer to a domain, you are creating an entirely new and
separate user profile on the local workstation, right? Unfortunately, when
this is done, the user loses all their current settings as relates to how
they have their "personal windows settings" set up. Their desktop icons, even
some programs, are no longer accessible.

Is there a way to simply copy their local workstation profile to their
domain profile as you would from local user to local user on the workstation?

Thanx again.

You could copy their profile using the copy feature in System Properties
(Right Click, My Computer), advanced tab. If it was a local account they
were using before you could give permissions to their new AD account, if it
was an account in another domain and have a trust between the two domains,
give permissisons on the copy to the new domain account. Theres multiple
ways to do this, its just a matter of finding which way is best, and what
your users will accept (as far as lost settings). I've noticed that some
items dont always transfer well such as some Outlook settings (PST/OST file
locations).

"John Wright" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:55C71F84-12B9-4E92-BE25-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Yep, I know there's nothing forcing the user to login to the domain
> (unless a
> policy is in place restricting local logins), but that is actually not
> what I
> was referring to.
>
> If the only way to access resources on the AD domain controller is to
> login
> to the domain, then I have another question.
>
> When you join a computer to a domain, you are creating an entirely new and
> separate user profile on the local workstation, right? Unfortunately, when
> this is done, the user loses all their current settings as relates to how
> they have their "personal windows settings" set up. Their desktop icons,
> even
> some programs, are no longer accessible.
>
> Is there a way to simply copy their local workstation profile to their
> domain profile as you would from local user to local user on the
> workstation?
>
> Thanx again.

In news:55C71F84-12B9-4E92-BE25-(E-Mail Removed),
John Wright <(E-Mail Removed)> stated, which I commented
on below:
> Yep, I know there's nothing forcing the user to login to the domain
> (unless a policy is in place restricting local logins), but that is
> actually not what I was referring to.
>
> If the only way to access resources on the AD domain controller is to
> login to the domain, then I have another question.
>
> When you join a computer to a domain, you are creating an entirely
> new and separate user profile on the local workstation, right?
> Unfortunately, when this is done, the user loses all their current
> settings as relates to how they have their "personal windows
> settings" set up. Their desktop icons, even some programs, are no
> longer accessible.
>
> Is there a way to simply copy their local workstation profile to their
> domain profile as you would from local user to local user on the
> workstation?
>
> Thanx again.

You can still access resources, su ch as shares, printers or even Exchange
using Outlook, even if not joined, as I've previously explained. You would
need to instruct users to access them they wouyld need to provide
credentials that exist in the domain.

Follow Hywell's suggestions to copy profiles. You'll probably still need to
do some minor tweaking after copying.

Ace