Roaming Profiles

[LloydSev]

We are looking at converting our 300 accounts from local to roaming profiles.

Any hints or tips to help us out as we transition?

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[markdmac]

1.) Make sure you have sufficient disk space.
2.) Don't have all 300 people log in at the same time (initially)unless you want login to take an hour for everyone.

I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[LloydSev]

I understand both of those.. almost kinda common sense.. lol.. but I guess I was looking maybe for more domain group policy tips, local computer policy tips, etc.. to help us better administrate a roaming profile network.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[jrjuiliano]

MS's web site has a pretty good set of articles on setting up and maintaining roaming user profiles, setting up quotas and group policy, as well as being able to omit certain directories from being part of the roaming profile.

Also make sure you have a good, strong server that can handle all the syncing of data.

My only complaint is that some directories I WANT to be part of the profile can't easily be put in there (like an outlook PST file in the default location).

here's one link I found, for Win2k3, but same principles apply, I'm pretty sure:

[URL unfurl="true"]http://www.micr...2003/all/deployguide/en-us/dmebc_dsm_wntz.asp
[/url]

 

[anawrocki]

My words of wisdom, don't do it for any users if the will roam between NT4 and W2K or WXP, that is a big PITA and you will hate your self for a long, long time to come.

W2K, WXP, and W2K3 play fairly well together with some occasional annoyances, especially if you have a mix of differenct versions of office.

Training end users not to store data on their desktop has been challenging at times, do end users ever learn?

When you are roaming striclty within a common desktop image across an entire orginization it works like a dream.

 

[age]

I would beware the Temporary Internet Files folder.... Either disable caching of internet files on the workstations, or use group policy to exclude the Temporary Internet Files folder from roaming. I would also think about excluding Local Settings and History. You can do this in Group Policy - User Config - Admin Templates - System - Logon/Logiff - Exclude Directories inroaming profile.