Windows workstations in a Windows domain with a Linux domain controller [closed]

Solution 1:

What you're doing in heading down a route that will bring you nothing but pain, heartache and absolutely no sympathy from any support personnel. While you can join a Microsoft PC to a non-Windows Domain, there are few scenarios when this is actually a good idea.

So, basically, what I'm saying is - don't do this. Build a Windows Server Domain Controller, not a Linux one.

Solution 2:

Do not even bother trying to use an old-style domain. No reason.

Samba 4 running as an Active Directory Domain Controller is a perfectly viable setup that works without problems. We have it running in quite a few locations now without problems.

There is support for group policies, and the various management tools from Windows work for managing the users, directory, GPOs, etc.

Don't get crazy about putting users into a MySQL database - why would you need to do such a thing? AD/LDAP is already a directory that can store all this information.