Time to upgrade server in the dental office! Advice anyone?

[pkoury]

Print sharing is what you should be concerned with. You'll most likely need to remap all the computers in the office to use the new server as the print server. However, I'd also examine that authentication method as well as the Active Directory problem (domain controller). What OS is running on the current server? ~2000 everyone went domain happy when server 2000 came out... sound suspiciously like your environment is a domain environment.

Well the current server is running Windows 2000 Server Edition I believe. However, is their current version important? I don't understand why I can't just setup the printers on the new server as shared printers. Is print sharing not what I want to do in this circumstance?

I am trying to be as cautious as possible throughout the entire process but I want to keep the idea's moving forward until everything get set in stone. These are the types of things that I don't know but need to know and was looking to learn from the people here.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

I do not understand why he need a domain controler anyway.

Client software connects to MacPractice DDS via IP address and thats is.

Unless you want to go all crazy then all means get do OD on Mac OS X Server.

1. Set up Mac OS X Server as your Open Directory Master Server.
2. Set up User Accounts. ie: permissions, sharepoints.
3. Set up printer sharing. Give the printer an IP address. Then in Mac OS X Server, add that printer to the print share list.
4. Get ONE macmini, install all the programs you need, do the updates.
5. Restart it in target disk mode, clone the hard drive and restore the other mac minis with the clone.
6. Rename the macminis and join them to the OD Master Server.
7. If you have secuirty/trust issues, install Apple Remote Desktop.

 

[frimple]

Well the current server is running Windows 2000 Server Edition I believe. However, is their current version important? I don't understand why I can't just setup the printers on the new server as shared printers. Is print sharing not what I want to do in this circumstance?

The version is only important to help figure out what all you've got setup. Server 2000 added the first user friendly setup of domains so many people took advantage of that. Regarding the print sharing it should be that simple, however it's important to keep in mind the possible problems that you can encounter. Not only because you prepare and look for the problems proactively , but that the clients know that there are possible snags that will increase the time of the project.

I do not understand why he need a domain controler anyway.

The point wasn't to justify if it's need, the point is that we don't even know if it's setup.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

The point wasn't to justify if it's need, the point is that we don't even know if it's setup.

Oh okay. Well adding an OD wouldn't be such a bad idea if your in the planing stages. But im only 20 and doing IT stuff for 3 years, so what do I know.

frimple, what you think he should do? Making an Open Directory Master Server pretty easy if he does authentication. Print sharing shouldnt be hard. Just add the IP address to print center right?

 

[frimple]

frimple, what you think he should do? Making an Open Directory Master Server pretty easy if he does authentication. Print sharing shouldnt be hard. Just add the IP address to print center right?

I have never migrated an AD forest over to OD, and I don't have experience working inside of a mac system (I'm 90% windows). But who knows maybe everyone's setup in a work group there. I was just throwing things out that will need to be considered before everyone starts talking about buying the sweet new equipment.

 

[trainguy77]

frimple, what you think he should do? Making an Open Directory Master Server pretty easy if he does authentication. Print sharing shouldnt be hard. Just add the IP address to print center right?

Assuming the drivers for mac exist.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

Assuming the drivers for mac exist.

I hope the printer, hopefully laser, is a postscript printer.

I have never migrated an AD forest over to OD, and I don't have experience working inside of a mac system (I'm 90% windows). But who knows maybe everyone's setup in a work group there. I was just throwing things out that will need to be considered before everyone starts talking about buying the sweet new equipment.

A side question but have you moved OD to AD before?

 

[pkoury]

I have never migrated an AD forest over to OD, and I don't have experience working inside of a mac system (I'm 90% windows). But who knows maybe everyone's setup in a work group there. I was just throwing things out that will need to be considered before everyone starts talking about buying the sweet new equipment.

They actually are currently running off of a work group setup. How does this differ? See I didn't think any of their current setup was necessary with a complete migration to new equipment. That is why I was throwing around the idea that new equipment was important because it was really the only decision to be made.

Thanks for the insight though and all of the replying you have done.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

They actually are currently running off of a work group setup. How does this differ? See I didn't think any of their current setup was necessary with a complete migration to new equipment. That is why I was throwing around the idea that new equipment was important because it was really the only decision to be made.

Thanks for the insight though and all of the replying you have done.

Because it is a Window 2000 Server, just as frimple asked, you might have an AD, (Active Directory) forest.

The thing is, from what I gather, should not mater. Your moving to a new program, Macpractice DDS and a new OS. Just make an Open Directory server and recreate those services you had on your old server on the Xserve.

Im guess you have:
1. Authentication. Every computer has to log in before you can do anything.
2. Print Server.

The tricky part is guess if your server host "my documents" folders or for Mac IT people, "home" folders.

pkoury, when you log into one machine, save a file on the desktop, go to another machine, log into with the same login info, is that file you saved on the desktop on the other computer when you log in?

 

[pkoury]

Because it is a Window 2000 Server, just as frimple asked, you might have an AD, (Active Directory) forest.

The thing is, from what I gather, should not mater. Your moving to a new program, Macpractice DDS and a new OS. Just make an Open Directory server and recreate those services you had on your old server on the Xserve.

Im guess you have:
1. Authentication. Every computer has to log in before you can do anything.
2. Print Server.

The tricky part is guess if your server host "my documents" folders or for Mac IT people, "home" folders.

pkoury, when you log into one machine, save a file on the desktop, go to another machine, log into with the same login info, is that file you saved on the desktop on the other computer when you log in?

I see what everyone is saying now!

What you have described however is not how it works there. The computers have pretty much no authentication. Its a small office (4 dentists, 6 hygienists, and 4 assistants or so). So they really aren't too concerned about authentication or having information trailing them around. They do have a password prompt but there is no password necessary.

They only access the server for information from their current computer program. They also use a print server I believe as they have all the current printers setup to be networked on the windows computers by adding \\server\printer in the add a printer dialog.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

Is your printer a laser printer hooked up via ethernet?

Things might be very simple then.

 

[pkoury]

Is your printer a laser printer hooked up via ethernet?

Things might be very simple then.

Yes they are laser except for the two color behind front desk. But I think they are all Ethernet.

 

[frimple]

They only access the server for information from their current computer program. They also use a print server I believe as they have all the current printers setup to be networked on the windows computers by adding \\server\printer in the add a printer dialog.

That means they're using the server as the print spooler. If the printers are network printers then what they've done is added them to the server as Local printers (using TCP/IP as the port) and then shared them out.

They actually are currently running off of a work group setup. How does this differ?

Good to hear that it's a workgroup setup, you shouldn't need to worry about authenticating to use the printers/shares. A good way to think about Workgroups versus Domains is this. Domains provide a central location to store user login credentials that can span across all the connected computers. This is helpful because it allows each person to have a login profiile setup on every computer, even if they've never used it before. It's extra helpful for administrators because they can use on set of credentials to access any network resource. Workgroups allow each computer to work together and access basic resources (shares, printers) without all the overhead of the central location. Each computer operates as it's own entity on the network and users must have credentials to log on to each machine. Because it allows sharing of printers and files it works well for most small businesses and home offices. Hope that helps, though it sounds like you've got the concept now!

A side question but have you moved OD to AD before?

I have not. I have yet to work in a business environment that uses Apple. All of my Mac experience comes from working with it at home (which isn't very robust! )

 

[pkoury]

Good to hear that it's a workgroup setup, you shouldn't need to worry about authenticating to use the printers/shares. A good way to think about Workgroups versus Domains is this. Domains provide a central location to store user login credentials that can span across all the connected computers. This is helpful because it allows each person to have a login profiile setup on every computer, even if they've never used it before. It's extra helpful for administrators because they can use on set of credentials to access any network resource. Workgroups allow each computer to work together and access basic resources (shares, printers) without all the overhead of the central location. Each computer operates as it's own entity on the network and users must have credentials to log on to each machine. Because it allows sharing of printers and files it works well for most small businesses and home offices. Hope that helps, though it sounds like you've got the concept now!

This is a great explanation. I really am starting to understand it all now. They def. do not need a domain based system for this office. Everything is shared from the server there is no need for individual user accounts.