User Management

[robknowles]

Hello,

 

I run a vanilla Windows 2003 Domain network with XP Clients (+ 1 Vista), and basically I'm looking for a new User Management System to replace the current Akhter solution which I find lacking in features and expensive (about £2.5K a year).

 

I know many on the site have vanilla networks and just wonder what programs you use to automate user management (i.e. bulking creating users, or just creating single users and ensuring that profiles are created, allocated to the correct groups and also home folder share created with the neccessary permissions, ability to reset passwords and such like)

 

Rob

[john]

Whats wrong with using plain simple Active Directory for things like password resets etc? We have a self user password reset tool on here written by one of our members (if you do a search you will find it). As for bulk additon, you will be able to script that and there will no doubt be many posts on that here.

[tosca925]

I can't believe people still use expensive management software on top of Windows 2003 now.

[Ric_]

for bulk import just use csvde (see http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/Logon/CSVDE_LDIFDE.htm ). I use a simple custom taskpad and delegation to allow staff to change pupil passwords.

[plexer]

Self Service Password Reset written by Irazumus and myself is available from:

 

http://edugeek.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2059

 

As well as allowing students to reset their own password it has an admin section for you to do it and perform some other admin functions on it and also a password reset section for use by teachers.

 

Ben

[thom]

I got one of the keen year9 students here to create a piece of software for bulk imports.

He got a decent system working using visual basic and you can download it for free here http://www.biddenham.org/tools/uDirectory.exe

Being a teenager, however, he got bored and isn't going to develop it further. I asked him for the source code and he said he had deleted it!

[tech-man]

How about Account Management Spreadsheet from http://www.wisesoft.co.uk

[Lee_K_81]

There's also AD Infinitum which costs around £100. Allows bulk user import as well as creating all the directories, shares, sets permissions, sets exchange server settings, etc. I know there are free alternatives, but this does everything and for a £100 wasnt going to break the bank.

[ctbjs]

I agree with Ric that using CSVDE and LDIFDE are a sound tool to bulk import users. Why spend money when you don't have to!!

 

Additionally for changing passwords you can delegate the authority for password changing to teachers by creating a custom MMC for this function.

 

Don't spend money when you don't need to!!

 

AD Infinitum is a good tool and I have used it myself on many occasion and could be worth investing in if you HAVE to spend.

[mac_shinobi]

http://www.wisesoft.co.uk has a password change tool and a few other handy utils which are free ( registration doesnt take that long and is free as well )

[Richie1972]

I've written a system for our school that, with a combination of asp.net and vbscript handles creation, deletion, password and internet control for students.

There's plenty of information on how to do it if you google it.

If you feel confident enough with vbscript then try searching for stuff like "vbscript ldap active directory":

http://techtasks.com/code/viewbook/2

http://www.activexperts.com/activmonitor/windowsmanagement/adminscripts/usersgroups/users/