Does anyone know how to make linux use active directory for authentication? - Maybe have each use a radius server?

To my knowledge, the only way is to use Samba 3.0 but it is still not ready for production use (alpha).

Could LDAP and SAMBA be used to replicate AD accounts to a linux server, then use that server for authentication? I believe I've read about this being done before, but was unable to find much information on it.

If you are using Active Directory, you don't need LDAP as they do the same job. Samba can be used as a Active Directory client. The Linux box would contact the Active Directory server to authenticate users.

If you use LDAP, there are many solutions for Linux like OpenLDAP.

Thanks - I appreciate all of the answers!

To get back to the thread starter's topic, if you plan to integrate Windows and Linux authentification, you better use LDAP as it is more of a platform independent standard.

OH, and do not even take a look as NIS, it's a pain in the *** (from past experience :) ).

I use PC NetLink for solaris , don't know if there any linux variant

Solaris PC NetLink software enables Sun Enterprise servers running the Solaris Operating Environment to function as primary domain controllers, backup domain controllers, and member servers in a Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 network.

A Sun Enterprise server running Solaris PC NetLink software provides native Windows NT 4.0 file, print, directory, and authentication services to Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows 95, and Windows NT 4.0 client PCs.

http://www.sun.com/products-n-solutions/software/interoperability/netlink/index.html

That's probably Samba recompiled by Sun but I'm not sure.