I have one windows 2000 advanced server box and one red hat linux 7.2 box. I am starting up my hosting services in the new year. I have a configuration question for the windows 2k box.

Should I use Active Directory?

If so, why?
If not, why not?

What are the advantages/disadvantages?


PS I will be implementing the HSpere control panel from psoft.net if it makes a difference.

Thanks!

One word; NO!

You do not need to implement AD on your server. AD is great if you need to maintain multiple accounts across many servers and Window's domain space. It's pretty nice for managing large corporate networks with many desktops/servers/laptops/users/permissions, etc but there is no reason to use it in a hosting environment. It's actually a nightmare to configure properly, it likes to take over DNS, just another service that can use up resources and can cause problems.

But then again, this is just my opinion :)

I agree with RackMy.com. AD is not needed for hosting unless you plan on using the Win2K box for DNS then I would suggest using it. However personally I would leave the DNS job to BIND servers, or your ISP or Host, less of a headache and easier to maintain with very little resources being used..

Just my 2 cents also.

Brian

Great Thanks!

I was hesitant about it also.

I would like to hear more feedback from others though, so far I will not implement it.

Actually, if you are going to run Internet DNS I would not run AD because AD will screw with it. AD is cool, but in the hosting world it's a pain.

Active Directory will do to your network what the Windows Registry has done to your workstation.

Avoid AD.

Active Directory will do to your network what the Windows Registry has done to your workstation. :)

Use of activie directory services slows down the machine , atleast my observation ,

But there is a Gui server management tool from MS which works only when active directory services is installed.

Cant recollect the name

Rgds,

Originally posted by mpkapadia
Use of activie directory services slows down the machine , atleast my observation ,

But there is a Gui server management tool from MS which works only when active directory services is installed.

Cant recollect the name

Rgds,


WebAdmin (http://www.microsoft.com/ISN/downloads/webadmin_overview.asp)

Use of activie directory services slows down the machine , atleast my observationI've seen AD use up over 1 GB of memory (half real, half virtual), when used for its X.500-like features!Active Directory will do to your network what the Windows Registry has done to your workstation.We affectionally refer to it as Active Registry because of its limitations and quirks as a directory. :)

Well, it seems that the verdict is in.

I am NOT going to use Active Directory.

Besides, if a GUI server admin tool is the only advantage, I have one that I use that Dell provided.;)

Thanks for the help!!