Join Windows Server 2019 Essentials to a SAMBA Active Directory Domain

Question

Hello. I'm not sure that's the right spot for this question but here it goes: We have a Windows Server 2019 Essentials running SQL Express for an ERP software. We have a Linux SAMBA Active Directory Domain configured (The Domain Controller is a Linux Machine running SAMBA AD). We want this W2019 Server to join the domain and act as a File Server (along with its role as a SQL Expresse server). Is it possible? Which W2019 Essentials limitations would we have to face? I know it can only have 25 user accounts created on its local database (SQL Express created around 20 user accounts during its installation). The user accounts for the domain would be managed by a DC. Will the domain accounts (near 20) be able to access files on the W2019 Essentials server once it joins the domain? Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you so much for posting here.

So sorry that we are not professional with Linux SAMBA Active Directory.

Similar discussion is here.
https://superuser.com/questions/1481039/does-windows-server-2019-essentials-have-to-be-a-domain-controller-as-requiremen#:~:text=The%20Microsoft%20blog%20Windows%20Server,with%20other%20Active%20Directory%20domains.

We could add it as member server or configured it as domain controller.

"If configured as a Domain Controller, Windows Server 2019 Essentials must be the only Domain Controller, must run all Flexible Single Master Operations (FSMO) roles, and cannot have two-way trusts with other Active Directory domains."

Best regards,
Hannah Xiong

============================================

If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.
Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Answer 2

Essentials server will want to be a root domain controller. Better option would be to use Windows Server 2019 Standard.

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--