Folder redirecton and roaming profiles

[Dan Walker]

Hi,

Setup: 2003 server standard, using DHCP, DNS, WINS, ICA Server, Exchange
Server, XP Pro SP2 (1 server, 35 client machines, 180 users, 100Mbit
network)

I have just inherited a school network that currently uses mandatory
profiles.

All works fine but it is a bit boaring. Everybodies desktop looks the same,
My documents does not exist (is drive U: instead), applications keep asking
the same questions and favorites are not remembered.

I thought it would be nice for staff to have a roaming profile, so they
could get all the benefits of XP profiles. Also, it would be mad setting up
a roaming profile without using folder redirection. I do the redirection as
normal using group policy.

Here is the problem: when I have all this setup, it is very slow (about 4
minutes) to login. All is ok until the user presses enter after typing the
username and password. With the folder redirection policy disabled, the
login is very fast (a few seconds).

With the folder redirection - I do 3 - that is, Desktop, App data and My
docs.

DNS does not seem bad as it is set as a sope option in DHCP.

Any ideas pls?

Thanks

Dan

 

[Guest]

Maybe these users have very large profiles (in MB that is) do they have any
large files on their desktops? Each time a user logs on the profile needs to
be copied from the server to the client. If the profiles are very large;
that copy process takes time and the user waits for a desktop. Start by
checking the profile sizes.

 

[Dan Walker]

For testing purposes, all I am doing is creating a test user, by creating a
roaming profile from a local one. The profile in total is about 8mb.

There is nothing on the desktop and the my documents directory is empty.

It has nothing to do with copying over large amounts of data because there
is not really any mad disc activity during this process.

Could there be anything else doing this?

 

[Jetro]

I wouldn't rush into making changes in the network just inherited,
especially if it works fine (currently) but rather read a documentation and
get familiar with domain group policy. It seems the only problem is
'applications keep asking the same questions' - what is it?

P.S. Please do not think about the mandatory profiles as 'boring'. After you
settle down with the network you'll be thankful this feature exists.

 

[Dan Walker]

Oh, I agree totally with you. I do rush into things, but that is how I
learn. I have a backup tape if it all goes a bit pete tong.

By apps asking ... I mean the "dont show this again" messages. I know I can
do registry hacks with the login script, but the other benifits from a
roaming profile are wonderful. I know group policy near enough inside out.

I do like the way that people cannot wreck the profile when it is mandatory
as well!!

 

[Jetro]

Ah, these questions... Revert mandatory profile into the roaming one, run
every application, answer every question, and revert it back.

P.S. I meant 'school domain group policy' rather than abstract 'group
policy', NTFS permissions etc - there is a lot of settings which may affect
a roam and folder redirection.