Multiple Domains

[Guest]

I need to be able to setup my laptop so that I can log onto two different
systems. My employer and my client. They operate on different domains. Is
it possible to have multiple log-ons which will change my computers
'identity' according to who I logon as?

 

[Ziggy Zigman]

You will need to join your laptop to both domains. Once you do that, you
will get a drop down menu at logon where you can select which domain to
login to. You should get separate profiles for each domain created on the
laptop.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I need to be able to setup my laptop so that I can log onto two
different systems. My employer and my client. They operate on
different domains. Is it possible to have multiple log-ons which
will change my computers 'identity' according to who I logon as?

Your computer cannot be a member of two domains natively at once.

There are some applications (perform a google search) that may allow you to
do this - but truthfully - it is not necessary for you to be a member of
either domain (much less both) to access the domain resources. As long as
you have a username/password in each domain - usually a simply batch script
is all you need to access printers, shared drives, etc...

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I need to be able to setup my laptop so that I can log onto two
different systems. My employer and my client. They operate on
different domains. Is
it possible to have multiple log-ons which will change my computers
'identity' according to who I logon as?

You will need to join your laptop to both domains. Once you do
that, you will get a drop down menu at logon where you can select
which domain to login to. You should get separate profiles for each
domain created on the laptop.

What 'Ziggy Zigman' cannot be done natively in Windows.

Those machines that have such a list are members of domains with 'trusts' -
and that is done on the domain side of things - not the workstation
connecting to the domains.

You *do not* normally need your computer to be a member of a domain in order
to access domain resources. You merely need a valid username/password in
each domain and know a little about scripting (or the IT staff of each
domain can help you out.)

 

[Guest]

I appreciate the option of trying scripting, but given the way the two
organizations operate, I dont see this as a reaslistic long term solution.
Is it possible to have a multiple booting computer and still have access to
all of my files on my local drives? Would this solve the problem?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I appreciate the option of trying scripting, but given the way the
two organizations operate, I dont see this as a reaslistic long
term solution. Is it possible to have a multiple booting computer
and still have access to all of my files on my local drives? Would
this solve the problem?

A multi-boot computer seems like overkill.
You might as well have two seperate systems - one for each workplace.

They might have a ton of domain policies at each location - some
conflicting. The possibility of issues as you remove yourself and join
another domain over and over - well - it's just not worth it in my mind.
When there is no reason to have a computer as a member of either domain in
the first place. It will be by the username/password they will track your
movements anyway.

I do not understand the problem with scripting.
What are you accessing from each domain?
Mostly drive shares?

If so:
This is the only thing needed in a batch script for domain 'a':

net use x: \\servername.fq.domain.name\sharename /user:domain\username *
/persistent:NO

(where x: is replaced with the drive letter of your choice...)
(where servername.fq.domain.name is replaced witht he servers fully
qualified address or IP...)
(where domain\username is replaced with the proper domain name and
username...)
(the * will prompt you for a password...)
(the persistent:NO will assure the connection is not remembered between
boots.

So you would end up with two batch scripts (or one very creative one) that
maps the appropriate drives and asks you for the password when doing each
one. You have to merely double-click on the appropriate one.

If you need to map network shared printers...
cscript %SystemRoot%\system32\prnmngr.vbs -ac -p
"\\servername.fq.domain.name\PrinterSharedName"
(Same replacements... After you map the network shared drives...)

That's it - nothing complicated.

Otherwise - you can use something like:
http://www.globesoft.com/
MultiNetwork Manager

But I think the latter would probably be something beyond the true scope of
the problem you likely face. If you want to use ONE user account and have
your desktop always the same and the list of programs always the same and
the ability to connect to the shared domain resources at each location
without any added expense - the script is the way to go.