NLB TS server without AD?

moridin

Hi,

Does anyone know if it's possible to configure the TS Session Directory service without using AD?

I have 3 servers:

1) Server A - Win2k3 enterprise VM with TS Session Directory Service enabled. Member of Workgroup X.
2) Server B - Win2k3 enterprise machine in Workgroup X.
3) Server C - will be a clone of server B.

I've enabled the session directory service on Server A, which creates a "Session Directory Computers" local group on Server A. I need to somehow add Server B into this group.

I've tried changing the Object Type to show Computers but there's no option for it. I can't change the Location from "Server A" to "Workgroup X" as it's greyed out.

Has anyone tried this before / know if it's possible to do? Using active directory isn't an option

aFlabbyPanda

afaik yes you can, but have you created your cluster first?

moridin

Hadn't created the cluster, no, I was going to get it working with one machine and then create the cluster.

Left the second machine ghosting last night, so I'll update later.

aFlabbyPanda

the cluster is a requirement for this setup so you'll need that running first.

moridin

Cluster's up. Still no change on the session directory machine, the "Location" field for adding users is greyed out inside the add to Group dialog box, so I can't select the workgroup they belong in.

aFlabbyPanda

try this link, it's what I used when I was setting it up for a customer. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/overview/sessiondirectory.mspx

(we did have AD running but I was told it wasnt needed)

moridin

Session Directory isn't "active directory aware". However, I don't know how to add the Computer accounts of remote machines to a group on a local machine without AD being there.

Every time I try and add the Computer accounts it will not let me select the Workgroup as the location to look for objects in. Instead, it defaults to users and builtins on the local machine.

I saw that document days ago, and it totally bypasses the problem that I'm having by showing an AD-ised "add object to group" screen, or at least an "add object to group" screen which allows you to select "Computers" as a valid object.

aFlabbyPanda

give me a day or so to build some vm machines and I'll check it out.

moridin

oO, cheers, thanks for the help Brian