how would i go about integrating a mac onto a windows 2003 server via active directory?

one of the projects my boss gave, that i know like nothing about.

i found out what it is, and hat it does, but not how to do it

does anybody know of a third party software that would allow me to do this with little difficulty?

what do you want to accomplish with "integrating" the mac into AD? Just authentication or desktop management?

I remember reading about a third party software that does it. I don't recall the name offhand. I've had lots of problems with this idea.

I think the best thing would be to get an OX Server..bind that to AD, and let the Macs communicate with the OS X server. THis way, only one thing is bound, and all the password policies and credential checking goes through one system

both desktop management and the authentication,

i don't know exactly what the purpose that he has is,

but i know he wants it done by friday

You need an OSX server, then you hook Open Directory to Active Directory, then you join your OSX Mac's to the Open Directory server.


The trick is getting Kerberos on the OSX Server to connect correctly to the Active Directory. Kerberos on the Mac is a b***h to get working correctly.

there should be some third party software out there somewhere that would allow me to do it

It isnt easy to do. I've done it about 5 times for different companies, and there's always a glitch to overcome.

If you're in the L.A. area you can contract me for the job, It would save you a ton of time, and I'll show you how it's administered and how to setup the clients. PM me if interested.

i'd have to talk to my boss about it, but we're outside LA