The administrative computing and network unit at my institution seem to 
want to force us to use Microsoft Active Directory and SCCM. The 
generalities that have been released to date are quoted below:

*Recommendation*

 1.

    Work with the ITC’s across the University to join all University
    owned PC’s and Mac’s to an organizational unit (OU) of the CSUSB AD
    Domain.

 2.

    Provide training to all ITC’s on Microsoft Active Directory and SCCM
    Administration

*Cost:* $25,000 Estimated

*Rationale:* With the availability of advanced tools to maintain and 
upgrade machines from a central console, Faculty and Staff will greatly 
benefit from patches and updates being done for them remotely and in an 
automated fashion. They will also be able to install campus licensed 
software themselves.

NB: ITC Information Technology Consultant (a California State University 
staff position designation) -- a technician, typically with a BS in IT 
or a related field, who has hardware and software control over 
non-administrative-computing "Faculty" MS Windows or Mac OS X workstations.

End quote.

Does anyone on the list have to use these Microsoft proprietary systems 
with EL open systems -- both servers and workstations? If so, what are 
your experiences and how does one do the integration? Under no 
circumstances are we willing to share root passwords with the 
administrative unit. Replies off list are welcome.

Yasha Karant