The tasks that follow the installation of a Samba-3 server, whether standalone or domain member, of a domain controller (PDC or BDC) begins with the need to create administrative rights. Of course, the creation of user and group accounts is essential for both a standalone server and a PDC. In the case of a BDC or a Domain Member server (DMS), domain user and group accounts are obtained from the central domain authentication backend.

Regardless of the type of server being installed, local UNIX groups must be mapped to the Windows networking domain global group accounts. Do you ask why? Because Samba always limits its access to the resources of the host server by way of traditional UNIX UID and GID controls. This means that local groups must be mapped to domain global groups so that domain users who are members of the domain global groups can be given access rights based on UIDs and GIDs local to the server that is hosting Samba. Such mappings are implemented using the net command.

UNIX systems that are hosting a Samba-3 server that is running as a member (PDC, BDC, or DMS) must have a machine security account in the domain authentication database (or directory). The creation of such security (or trust) accounts is also handled using the net command.

The establishment of interdomain trusts is achieved using the net command also, as may a plethora of typical administrative duties such as user management, group management, share and printer management, file and printer migration, security identifier management, and so on.

The overall picture should be clear now: the net command plays a central role on the Samba-3 stage. This role will continue to be developed. The inclusion of this chapter is evidence of its importance, one that has grown in complexity to the point that it is no longer considered prudent to cover its use fully in the online UNIX man pages.