User accounts on OSX Server

[MacFanUK]

I'm considering building a network around OSX Server, having never used OSX Server before so apologies if this is a noob question.

In Windows Server, it's possible to set up user accounts with specific 'network storage' (in the form of a folder on the server hard drive) which then gets mapped on the users pc when they log in. This means that whichever computer that user logs into, it has their data on it.

Is it possible to do something like this in OSX Server?

Thanks

 

[Les Kern]

Like Active Directory, except it's a heck of a lot easier to set up and manage users, groups and machines.
A LOT easier.

http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/technology/open-directory.html

 

[VideoFreek]

In Windows Server, it's possible to set up user accounts with specific 'network storage' (in the form of a folder on the server hard drive) which then gets mapped on the users pc when they log in. This means that whichever computer that user logs into, it has their data on it.

Is it possible to do something like this in OSX Server?

Yes, in fact you have a couple of options. You can set up "network accounts," where the users' data reside in network folders...when a user logs on to a new machine, the Home Folder is set to the network share. This is good for desktop machines that are always connected to your network. Another option is to setup "mobile accounts," which synchronize the users' data between the server and the client. So, when a user logs on to a machine for the first time, his data are synced to the client, and any changes are synced back to the server. This works pretty well overall, but is sometimes a bit flakey. This scenario is ideal when you have laptops that might not be connected to the network at all times.

You can read up on OS X Server's full range of capabilities in Apple's excellent Server Guides. Good luck!