In line answers. The only difference is I am running a 2003 domain with one 2008 DC.
Jon On Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 10:22 PM, Bret Fessenden <[email protected]>wrote: > All, > > I have several, possibly stupid, questions about Vista/Windows 7 > integration into AD that I either can't find definitive answers for, or I > can't find answers that I completely understand. > > Setup: We have one AD domain with two Windows 2003 R2 DC's. Most accounts > have Roaming Profiles, and Redirected App Data, Documents, and Desktop > folders. We have around 300 XP clients. Currently, I have no Vista computers > connected to the domain, but I do have a few I would like to connect to the > domain. > > My questions: > > 1. If I'm just connecting a Vista computer to the domain, but the user will > be using a _local_ account only on that computer, and I will _not_ be > applying any GPO's to it, is there anything I need to worry about, before > connecting it to the domain? > I have not seen any issues but I will not use roaming profiles because of storage and network restrictions. I tried them a couple of years a go and for us they killed our network at startup. > > 2. For Vista computers that _will_ have several GPO's applied to them, and > _will be accessed by users with domain accounts, with the aforementioned > Roaming Profiles and Redirected Folders_, I have gathered the following > (from MS's "Managing Roaming User Data Deployment Guide"): > I need to run the GPMC from a Vista client, and update the GPO's for Folder > Redirection with the "Also apply redirection policy to Windows 2000, Windows > 2000 Server, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 operating systems" setting, > then also edit the Pictures, Music, and Video folder settings to "Follow the > Documents Folder". I also understand that for each user with a roaming > profile, a new profile with v2 appended to it will be created for each user > logging into a Vista system, so they will permanently have two separate > Profile folders, one for Vista, one for XP. Am I properly understanding all > this, or am I missing critical information or misunderstanding any of this? >From what I have heard from others on the list if you use roaming profiles do not mix the XP and Vista machines. In other words don't try to use a Vista Profile on an XP system or an XP profile on a Vista machine. Keep it either or. 3. In reference to the above, why does editing a GPO on a newer OS actually change the available options? I don't get that concept. And on a related note, once a GPO or GPMC is opened on a Vista client, does it make permanent changes to the GPO's that will then prevent me from editing these GPO's from XP or 2003? >From personal experience you can edit but they may lead to some nasty issues. I have a junior that knows how to do things on the 2003 server and would do them without telling me. Usually they were minor but I don't want him doing anything after the last time I fixed an issue I created by editing on the 2003 DC instead of using the GPMC. Remeber I said MAY. I just have had issues and would recommend against it. 4. I also understand that GPO's edited from a Vista client will change where the GPO's are stored ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947025 )? Is that correct, and do I need to worry about that? Don't know have not looked, sorry. 5. Lastly, have their been any major changes, so far, between Vista and the release candidates of Windows 7 that make any of the above obsolete? I ask because I do have one WIndows 7 RC client that I could use for editing my GPO's, but I don't have an accessible Vista system (they are in use by end users). Sorry I have not had time to look at Windows 7. I don't expect to until maybe next week IF I get some time. Sorry this is so long. Anyone that can provide me any guidance, or point me in the right direction, would be appreciated. Thanks. Bret ~ NEW: CounterSpy Enterprise: Centralized Antispyware - #1 in eWEEK Test! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=400> ~ ~ NEW: CounterSpy Enterprise: Centralized Antispyware - #1 in eWEEK Test! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=400> ~
