Storing username/password in Win2000 for networked computers

[Dan]

I have a home network set up with a Linux server and three other
"client" machines. One is an Apple powerbook (OSX 10.3.9) and the other
two computers have windows 2000 on them. My problem is that I can't
figure out how to get Windows2000 to remember the username and password
when logining into either another 2000 computer or the os x box. If I
am logged into 2000 and I connect to another 2000 computer (or OSX), a
username/password box pops up and I enter the info and then can access
that computer, but as soon as I restart or logout and try to again
access that computer, I have to enter the info again. I've looked but I
can't seem to find the option to always remember the username and
password for other computers (For example, OS X stores this info in the
Keychain). I know this isn't the best for security, but it's my own LAN
and I care more about the convenience. Does anyone know how I can
enable this? Thanks so much!
-Dan

 

[Kurt]

You'll need to make sure the identical account credentials exist on all
Windows boxes that you want to be able to access shared resources on.
That'll take care of Windows. For Linux, you'll need to set up a Samba (NT4)
domain (which will also take care of Windows). If you do that, your Linux
Samba server will become the central repository for account information. By
making the Windows boxes "domain" members, and the OSX box a Samba client,
and using SMB exclusively, you'll be able to get a single signon on all of
your boxes.

....kurt

 

[Dan]

Thanks for the quick reply. I understand and am actually doing a lot of
what you recommend (short of setting up a domain). What I would like is
an option where I can check a radio box or something so that windows
remembers the username and password for the different computers on the
network. Is there such an option? If so, where can I enable it? Maybe
my solution is setting up a domain, and I'll check that out, but in the
mean time, it'd be nice if windows would just remember what I want it
to. Thanks.
-Dan

 

[Kurt]

No, there is no option to store multiple passwords for different machines.
Windows (NT, 2000, XP ) authenticates users, not computers. So the trick is
to create matching user accounts on all computers, with the same password.
In the Windows world, the authentication passes automatically. You don't
need to have the same users logged in, just matching usernames and passwords
with share and file permssions assigned as you deem appropriate. Then any of
those users can log on to any Windows box and access shares on the other
windows box (with said appropriate permissions) without having to type a
password. But the only way I know of to get it to work with Linux is a Samba
domain.

...kurt