WHat is better in the real world? (windows server question)

ClapDemCheeks · 2012-12-30T16:29:11+00:00

Login script in netlogon or shared drives through GPO preferences?

ClapDemCheeks

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Comments

Bloogen

I prefer group policy preferences. It seems to be simpler to setup and maintain due to not needing any scripts. I do not maintain a large desktop infrastructure so others who do my elaborate on their opinion.

CodeBlox

Lol @ your username!!

Here at my gig we do the share drive mappings through Group Policy.

Bloogen

I noticed and laughed at the username as well.

CodeBlox, you said uou do drive mapping through GP meaning the regular GP logon script or GP Preferences?

I will add to the discussion that item level targeting on GP Preferences is very useful in general and way easier than using WMI filters. One of the main reasons I prefer using them when possible.

One potential downside I haven't confirmed is I think if your are using GP Preferences then you can only map 1 drive per GPO where a logon script can have multiple entries in the script.

CORRECTION: To ensure I do not mislead anyone, you CAN definitely map multiple drives in one GPP.

meadIT

You can do multiple drive maps per GPO.

ClapDemCheeks

Thanks for the fast replies guys. One more question. Does it make sense to get certified with windows server 2008 R2 if the cert if going to expire next year?

Bloogen

It definitely makes sense. The cert does not "expire", only that July 2013 you can no longer receive many MCITP titles. The MCSA 2008 will continue to be offered and it only takes 1 exam to upgrade to MCSA 2012. If you get the MCSA 2008 before July you also get the MCITP: Server Administrator certification so you actually get 2 certifications instead of 1.

About7Narwhal

I prefer GPO for a few reasons. The biggest has already been listed though: It is simple to configure and manage and you can add multiple drives seamlessly. It might not hurt to know both; especially if you already run scripts based on users or groups.

crrussell3

I will just add to what everyone else has said. GPP is the way to go. I have around 50 different mapped drives with Item Level Targeting via security groups in one gpo. Works like a champ. I think the only issue I had was I included a trailing "\" at the end which of a few mapped drives and Win7 didn't like that. Other than that I also have Printers, Application shortcuts and a few other items being deployed with GPP without issue.

CodeBlox

Bloogen wrote: »

I noticed and laughed at the username as well.

CodeBlox, you said uou do drive mapping through GP meaning the regular GP logon script or GP Preferences?

I will add to the discussion that item level targeting on GP Preferences is very useful in general and way easier than using WMI filters. One of the main reasons I prefer using them when possible.

One potential downside I haven't confirmed is I think if your are using GP Preferences then you can only map 1 drive per GPO where a logon script can have multiple entries in the script.

CORRECTION: To ensure I do not mislead anyone, you CAN definitely map multiple drives in one GPP.

We do it through preferences.