FAQs: AD Migration for CALS Admin Users
We are migrating our administrative users off of Netware eDirectory services and onto Microsoft Active Directory services (aka, AD).
Why are we moving off of NetWare?
Novell has shifted towards Linux, and we had to choose between a Linux environment and a Microsoft one. A large part of campus is using AD successfully and by joining them we're able to expand the Windows servers we already were running, remain compatible with the future planned OIT AD lab environment, and use knowledge we already had instead of starting from scratch w/ Linux.When will my department be migrated?
See our timeline. We will email your department contact with a registration site for you to book a morning for your computer to be re-imaged. We have to have you present at the appointment to make sure we target all the right folders and files for backup. In addition, we will provide you a loaner PC. It should take about 24 hours for us to turn around your newly imaged computer.What does this migration mean to me?
It means that once we have moved everyone to the AD environment, we will remove the Novell client from your machine. You will only log into Windows to the Wolftech domain. You will no longer have the Novell Application Launcher. Your programs will be in your Start Menu. Most ACS apps and PeopleSoft apps are now available on MyPack or we can set you up with Citrix access.Will I lose my department shares and home directory?
Department Shares:
No, until everyone is re-imaged and moved to AD, you will have two logins. First the Windows login will appear. Afterward, the Novell login.We cannot move the department shares off of the NetWare servers until everyone is moved. So, for the interim, you can access your department shares as usual by going
to your W:\ drive.
Once everyone has been migrated, we will move the department shares to our new storage device which will be accessible with new drive mappings in Windows. At that time,
the Novell client will no longer be needed and we will uninstall it from your computer. This will be the final step in the migration process for our users.
Home Directory (M:\ drive):
As part of our migration process, we are changing how you store your files. Home directories (M:\ drive) will go away. We will move all your current home directory files to your localMy Documents after we re-image your machine. Your Thunderbird email and Firefox profiles will also go local. This is a good thing! I think our users will notice improved speed and performance from Thunderbird.
But, How does it get backed up if it is no longer on the server?
We will backup your documents to the server from your machine. You will notice that we install a program called Symantec Backup Exec on your local machine. This program willdo one initial backup of your whole profile on your machine up to our servers. This will include your My Documents, your Favorites, Desktop, and any program settings, such as those for
Thunderbird, Firefox, Aim, Yahoo Messenger, Palm, etc. Backup Exec will allow users to restore files themselves if needed, or we can assist. In addition, it runs constantly. As soon as you close a file, it backs it up.
You shouldn't even notice it running, except for an icon in your system tray that will turn orange each time it backs up files. In turn, your Backup Exec profile and data on the server is backed up.
Backup Exec will backup files when they are no longer in use or closed. Therefore, it is important that you close out of programs at least once a day, such as your email, to make sure they are backed up. A good time to do this is at lunch or at the end of the day.
Are any files not backed up and do I have a space limit?
Yes, there is a space limit, or quota. Each user will get 5GB and student workers will get 1GB. This should be more than enough for the majority of our users. If special circumstance require more, contact the helpdesk. We will consider special requests on a case by case basis.Since we have limited storage space on our servers, we have excluded three main folders from backup: My Video's, My Pictures, and My Music. These folders can be very large and users may find they run out of space quickly. If you have work related multimedia files that you need backed up, please create a new folder in My Documents, name it appropriately, and move your media files there. Again, be careful of how much you move. If it will bring you over quota, you should consider alternate methods of backup, such as burning to DVD or an external device.
What other benefits are there to being on AD?
- Our helpdesk can initiate a remote desktop connection, with your permission of course, to assist you in troubleshooting. This is very helpful for our users that are a distance from our helpdesk.
- No separate passwords! AD uses your Unity login and password. If you change your password for email or MyPack, it will change on AD.
- Cleaner desktop without the NAL
- Faster response time with files and email locally accessed
- Better backup and restore ability.