Well, I am trying to build as close an equivalent to my existing all Microsoft network as possible using Linux based solutions in order to determine if I can migrate away from Microsoft. At the same time attempt to learn more about Linux. I am using Small Business Server 2003 Standard and 3 Server 2003 machines to host my corporate network, I have about 30 workstations and these assets are distributed across to offices in Albuquerque and Phoenix. We use Exchange for mail, I have 3 domain controllers for AD. We use office 2007 for typical files and I use networked printers. I am not using much from SQL except for sharepoint but there are other options for that. As far as giving you specifics, how do you define an unknown? I can't explain what Linux can do vs Windows, as it's not apples-apples and oranges-oranges. Listing everything out and trying to keep things focused in a forum like this is going to be a monumental effort on top of the actual project. I can't debate 4 different opinions about which mail transport agent/client is best, I'm more interested in choosing one and trying to see if I can make it work, at this point. That is why I set out to build a sandbox with the aide of someone with more experience than I, to attempt to build as much equivalent functionality as possible to see where it gets me/us. I have no plan to use it in a production environment and if I decide to actually convert, I would plan a project for that separately, with more specifics, and hopefully my experience will have improved as well. I have unsuccessfully attempted to reproduce various pieces (Samba, Cups, DNS, etc) and join them to the existing domain and had 0% success in making it work with my existing network. So keeping them separate is my only option at this point. I have allocated four machines for use and a portion of my network, I can even allocate static IPs. I have planned for 2 servers and 1-2 workstation machines, I can bring them to installfest, but I'd need a lot of support equipment to hook them up into something usable. I still have concerns about this forum as I am new and getting 20 different conflicting suggestions will not be a constructive learning environment, not to mention monopolizing this forum. > I would start by telling us (1) the size of the mouse trap you want to > build, (2) your requirements for the mouse trap today, and (3) what you > want > the mouse trap to look like in 5 years. Basically, a concise description > of > what you want today and tomorrow. Then, those in the group who have > expertise in a particular area can chime in with their recommendations. > > An email list may be a little hard to manage this discussion, but it is > worth a shot to see how it goes. Wost case, you will get to know a couple > of > experts on the list, and you can always throw money, beer, food, at them > later.....;-) > > Or, just bring your sandbox to the InstallFest this Saturday for some > hands > on help...jk unless your sandbox is one machine ;-) > > Mark > > On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 9:58 AM, wrote: > >> Ok, How would I build this sandbox as a list discussion? >> >> Sean Parsons >> >> > I personally agree that this would be great on list discussion. >> > >> > even if it is using Linux to support a MS platform, it still would be >> > educational for me at least. >> > >> > On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 8:16 AM, wrote: >> >> Craig, >> >> >> >>> ---- >> >>> Wouldn't it be more useful and instructive to keep your questions on >> >>> list? You would benefit from a greater availability of opinions too. >> >>> >> >>> Also, it seems a bit unfair to want private advising and deprive the >> >>> list of the knowledge that is gathered by solving problems which I >> >>> would >> >>> gather would be rather typical for many offices/businesses. >> >>> >> >>> There is no need to make changes to an AD environment to add Linux >> >>> servers and/or workstations. >> >>> >> >>> Craig >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> -- >> >>> This message has been scanned for viruses and >> >>> dangerous content by MailScanner, and is >> >>> believed to be clean. >> >>> >> >>> --------------------------------------------------- >> >>> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> >>> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> >>> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> >> >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> >> >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from >> > rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button. >> > >> > Stephen >> > --------------------------------------------------- >> > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > >> >> --------------------------------------------------- >> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss >> > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss