Samba: joining a domain

[mh]

Hi, I have an older samba 2.x server running on RH7.x. I want to replace this server with a newer Gentoo machine. The old RH server is a domain member, lets just say its netbios name is FILESERVER. Since I am completely replacing the old server, I want the new server to have the same name, IP, etc to make migrating it easier.

So my question is, I understand I need to have samba join the NT domain (DOMAIN) via 'net join' script. I want this server to have the same netbios name as the old server. Do I have to remove the old server from the domain (server manager under NT4 DC), then use the script to add the new server back into the domain? Or can i just move the old secrets.tdb (samba 2.x) over to the new server (samba 3)??

thanks in advance

[YopWongSapn]

NT domains usually only require manual remove/add processes for winnt/2k/xp. I don't think you'll have any problems just copying files over to the new machine.
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Gentoo...it's like wiping your ass with silk. Or sandpaper.

[mh]

the only problem i can think of is if samba 2 and 3 write the secrets.tdb file differently. it's an easy experiment so i can try just moving the file over first and then running the script if that fails.

[YopWongSapn]

This is true. One thing you could try is to emerge samba 2.x, copy the files over, then upgrade samba to 3.x. I think the upgrading process will be smart enough to keep your settings. If nothing else, it may be involved in an etc-update after upgrading.
_________________
Gentoo...it's like wiping your ass with silk. Or sandpaper.

[mh]

i am reading that it is not a good idea to simply move the tdb file over. I think there might be some machine specific info in that file. oh well, your suggestion is great, but i thnk using the net or smbpasswd scripts to join the domain would be the easiest way now. thanks for your help!

[YopWongSapn]

Interesting.

Well, good luck with that!
_________________
Gentoo...it's like wiping your ass with silk. Or sandpaper.