[WinMac] Users & Groups Database for cross platform setup

Mark Davis(mdavis[at]stmarksinc.org)
Sat, 20 Feb 1999 20:20:03 -0500

I'm testing Cyan Software GMBH/COPS public beta of MacServerIP 6.1.
MacServerIP allows afp/ip or AppleTalk connectivity without the use of NTs
built-in Services for Macintosh.

I really like this software, but I am having some problems setting
permissions. It seems that it does not allow you to nest groups or users as
easily as the Mac OS does. Does anyone else here know if the MacServerIP
reading its groups from the NT's User Manager for Domains?

If so, I'm really interested in getting the ball rolling on a tool; the idea
has grown from some frustrations with At Ease in an multiple platform
environment.

Either a stand alone application or if possible a FileMaker Pro database
with the ability to import from AppleShare IP 6.x or a text file, the User &
Group List with following tab-delimited fields [refer to ASIP Help:Users
and Groups: Maintaining user files html file]:

First Name <tab) Last Name <tab) User Name <tab) Internet Alias <tab)
Password <tab) Comment <tab) Mail <tab) APOP <tab) Account Type <tab)
NotifyIP <tab) Forward <tab) Forward Address

The Next would be optional for the Administrator to turn on or off for
import/export:

Workgroup <tab)
[should default to equal 'Comment'; ASIP does not allow importing of groups]

Password Key <tab)
[user definable/ built-in function to create password based on keyword and
name or script out to an app like Guarddogg 1.1 and import]*

Internet Address [auto-field concatenated from User Name & "@[domain
name.xxx"] <tab)

Primary Server <tab) [could be AppleShareIP or NT Server as seen in Network
Browser or for use with At Ease Server]
Date Modified <tab) (last modification of current record)

(*anbody know how to get a hold of the guys who write Guarddogg (I haven't
been able to get a response from the them via email)

For PH/LDAP Server all pertinent data (I'm not going to list all the
parameters here. Again, this should optionally turned on/off by
administrator for import/export) :

It would be really interesting if it could export into User Manager for
domains/MacServerIP and convert the above fields to NT jargon (if there is
even a way to talk to User Manager or At Ease (when will At Ease be
scriptable???):

Macintosh Users & Groups NT User Manager
Data File Field for Domains Field
------------------------ --------------------
User Name User Name
First Name /Last Name Full Name
Comment Description
Password Password [then automatically confirm
                                     password if necessary]

- Allow a Radio button to set up if the user can change password
- Allow a Radio button to set up password never expires
- Allow a Radio button to set account is disabled

Allow a dialog to set up date account activates/expires
[never or End of / /]

Services for all three environments:
(At Ease/ASIP) NT User Manager
------------------------ --------------------
At Ease Server Volume User Environment Profile Path
                            [\\SERVERNAME\volume\%USERNAME%]

Workgroup Data Volume Home Directory [Local Path or
ASIP User Folder Connect (Drive Letter)[pull down menu]:
when user is created \\SERVERNAME\ volume\%USERNAME%
[Feature Request]
Replication Partner
[Domain control for NT
Feature Request]

Workgroup Account Type [Global/Local]
Workstations Logon To [Logon to All/These]

(User Definable Account Operators
groups (ASIP)) Backup Operators
                            Domain Admins
                            Guest
                            Replicator
                            Server Operators
                            Print Operators
                            users

Services for At Ease/NT:
(At Ease Users) NT User Manager
------------------------ --------------------
Administrators Administrators
User
Workgroup Administrators Account Operators
                            Backup Operators
                            Domain Admins
                            Guest
                            Replicator
                            Server Operators
                            Print Operators
User users

In addition this tool should have the capabilities we are somewhat
accustomed to in User & Group Manager & continue the ability to
import/export data between ASIP/At Ease Databases [sanitized].

I have a VERY skeletal database in FileMaker Pro that I've been playing with
for over a year (never have enough time to finish it). Email me offlist if
want to play with it or you're AppleScript/NT app/batch file/FileMaker savvy
and/or are willing to work multiple hackers [positive meaning] on making a
finished product that could either be freeware, shareware, or if it really
works, Commercial (yeah right...).

Seriously, anybody out there have any ideas?
Can Apple pick up this slew of feature Requests (maybe a app/extension like
the ASIP services?). Can the At Ease group please re-write At Ease to be a
module to ASIP as opposed to a stand alone app [sanitized]?. Third-party
developers????

I live in a ASIP 6.x/At Ease (grrrrgh)/NT environment and am desperately in
need of a tool(s) that do what's outlined. If there's already something like
this, please let me know.

Sorry about the bandwidth and apologies if those of you see this more than
once (cross posting). Portions are sanitized to CMA.

* Windows-MacOS Cooperation List *

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Sat Feb 20 1999 - 17:24:11 PST