OD server, config not to use network home folders?

[multinix]

Hi all,

I'm setting up a 10.6 server and I need a little direction. I've worked with NDS/eDirectory and MS Active Directory, but this is my first venture into Apple Open Directory territory.

Anyway, my concern is with home folders (to OD users). If I choose "none" in workgroup manager, I can't seem to login from a workstation (in my case, several brand new iMacs running 10.6.4).

If I add a home folder (afp://my.server.com/Users), user accounts can login, but then the home folders naturally operate off of the OD server (there will only be one server in this setup, and it's a OD master). I'm worried about disk space (Apple Mail, stuff users may store on the desktop, etc) and network bandwidth if the home folders reside on the network.

So I suppose my questions are as thus:

1) Do OD users have to have a home folder on the network?
2) If no, why can't the users login without one?
3) Is it generally advisable to have a home folder on the network or not?

Thanks is given advance... help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[andrewag]

If you have a fast network, network home directories are okay. Might be worth looking into portable home directories (Workgroup manager > Preferences > Mobility to setup).

You should be able to specify a local home directory by clicking the + icon on the Home tab of the user accounts and specifying /Users under the full path section.

Hope this helps!

 

[talmy]

In my home network, which has a Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server, I use Open Directory for all family members but don't use a central home folder except for the "entertainment" account which is used on a couple of minis used as entertainment centers. The personal logins are to local accounts on the individual computers -- there are no home folders on the server nor are there any local accounts for individuals on the server. Individuals get the server access by specifying and logging into the server (once) in the Accounts System Preferences panel.

I'm after minimum pain with maximum gain, and this gives it too me. In the home I can't do anything that makes life harder for my family!

 

[multinix]

Stupid me... I didn't see the fine horizontal line between "Path to Home folder" and "full path". I was entering info into both boxes and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working.

Well that helps!

I would like to auto-mount a group share... I suppose you do that with WGM as well?

 

[talmy]

Word of warning if you add automount shares using Workgroup Manager. You need to run WGM on a client system, not on the server. It sets up the paths wrong if you do it on the server.

 

[multinix]

Word of warning if you add automount shares using Workgroup Manager. You need to run WGM on a client system, not on the server. It sets up the paths wrong if you do it on the server.

Ahh, thanks. I was going to ask about that!!