Conquering the Domain (and Its Hidden Ropes)

Conquering the Domain

 (and Its Hidden Ropes)

Day two of our server saga presented a formidable challenge: joining a computer to the newly minted domain. But as we soon discovered, the path was not as straightforward as the trusty "Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Server in 21 Days" book might have suggested.

Here's the twist: the book focused solely on the installation of Windows 2000 Server, leaving the crucial realm of Active Directory setup a mystery. Additionally, it lacked any guidance on verifying the success of this invisible domain. This, it seemed, was a text for the server-savvy, not the enthusiastic novice.

Undeterred, we ventured beyond the book's pages. The quest for knowledge led us down a labyrinthine path of websites (too numerous to mention here!), each offering a piece of the puzzle. With their combined wisdom, we managed to not only set up Active Directory but also verify its functionality through DNS testing.

The Mac and the DNS Maze

Joining our vintage Mac to this newfound domain turned out to be a DNS entanglement. The DCPROMO wizard, while helpful in configuring Active Directory, neglected to create the necessary folders for the Mac's forward lookup. This seemingly simple fix proved elusive at first, leading us down a rabbit hole of troubleshooting. Reinventing the wheel – or in this case, the domain – seemed tempting. We even toyed with reinstalling Windows 2000 Server based on a rumor about single-name domains causing issues. Thankfully, sanity prevailed, and we stuck with our "local.test.mac" domain name, perfectly suited for our immediate purpose of Mac integration.

A Moment of Triumph (and a Mountain Yet to Climb)

Finally, the moment arrived! Our classic Mac, a testament to Apple's design prowess, was successfully integrated into the Windows Active Directory domain. A small victory, but a significant one nonetheless. It marked a turning point in this multi-boot odyssey.

The journey continues. We've learned valuable lessons about venturing beyond the surface of instructional materials and the importance of online communities. The server now stands, a dual-booted behemoth, ready to shepherd our motley crew of operating systems into a (hopefully) harmonious domain. Stay tuned as we tackle the next challenges and explore the possibilities this multi-boot menagerie presents!

The Multi-Boot Odyssey: Building a Domain of the Past

 The Multi-Boot Odyssey:

 Building a Domain of the Past

The quest for multi-boot mastery continues! This time, we're not just wrangling a menagerie of operating systems, but also introducing a server to the mix. The plan? A dueling server running both Windows 2000 Server and a flavor of Linux wielding the power of LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).

The citizen operating systems on the multi-boot machines will be divided by allegiance. The oldies – Windows 3.11, 98, and NT 3.5 Workstation – will pledge loyalty to the Windows domain, while the slightly younger crowd – Windows ME, 2000 Workstation, and XP – will join the ranks of the LDAP domain.

Windows 2000 Server: First Blood (and Patches)

The server itself is now a proud citizen of Windows 2000 Server, fully upgraded (well, mostly). The initial installation disc was a bit dusty, offering Service Pack 3. Undeterred, we ventured forth with Service Pack 4 and the intriguing (and unofficial) Service Pack 5.1 – a testament to the enduring spirit of the open-source community, even in the realm of legacy software.  The .NET Framework, a key component for future endeavors, has also been successfully integrated.

 Learning the Server Ropes (with a Few Missing Screenshots)

"Server Ropes"

Our trusty guide, "Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Windows 2000 Server in 21 Days," is leading the way. However, it seems the book favors a more "hands-on" approach, skipping the niceties of installation screenshots – perhaps a limitation of 1999 technology. Regardless, we persevere!

The next challenge, as outlined by our literary companion, involves welcoming a new computer to the domain. While the multi-boot system is still under construction, a 1999 iMac Blueberry prepped with OS X 10.3.9 stands ready. The question remains: can we successfully integrate this classic Mac into our Windows domain? Stay tuned for the exciting (and potentially frustrating) answer!

This is just the beginning of the multi-boot odyssey. We'll navigate the intricacies of domain joining, explore the capabilities of the dual-boot server, and hopefully achieve a harmonious coexistence of these vintage operating systems. Join us on this technical treasure hunt as we unearth the secrets of the past and breathe new life into these nostalgic systems!

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