Folder redirection question for the Active Directory Gurus

[Uhtrinity]

I am trying to implement Folder Direction on the school network that I setup and maintain (approx 70 PCs). It is a Windows 2003 standard server, with all current patches and updates.

The problem is I cannot find the Folder Redirection Policy in the group policy editor. it should be under user configuration/windows settings/. But it isn't listed. I only see RIS, Scripts (logon/logoff), security settings, and IE Maintenance.
Any ideas how to get this to show up or to create or pull a policy from backup? I am fairy new to active directory and the server and network has been running flawlessly otherwise since last summer.

 

[stash]

Are you editing your domain GPOs from an XP machine?

If you are, run the following from the XP box:
regsvr32 fdeploy.dll
regsvr32 fde.dll

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: stash
Are you editing your domain GPOs from an XP machine?

If you are, run the following from the XP box:
regsvr32 fdeploy.dll
regsvr32 fde.dll

No, on the server.

 

[stash]

Try running those commands on the server. It's unusual to see this problem on 2003, but it's worth a shot.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: stash
Try running those commands on the server. It's unusual to see this problem on 2003, but it's worth a shot.

The commands were successful, but I still only see RIS, Scripts (logon/logoff), security settings, and IE Maintenance. Still no Folder Redirection folder.

For reference I am using this as the guide:
Folder redirection setup guide

Here is a SCREENSHOT of what I am seeing on the server when I open the group policy editor.

 

[kevnich2]

Well the problem looks like your not even in the correct area. That's the local computer's group policy, not the domain. Go into active directory, right click your domain, click properties. Select the group policy tab, then click open. You should be able to get it from there.

 

[stash]

Yeah, and you would avoid this mixup if you use GPMC: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta...-4b35-9272-dd3cbfc81887&DisplayLang=en

 

[kevnich2]

Originally posted by: stash
Yeah, and you would avoid this mixup if you use GPMC: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta...-4b35-9272-dd3cbfc81887&DisplayLang=en

Yep, that's what I'm using on my server. Works great.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Thanks, I have also used GPMC and had no luck that way. I will give it another try.

 

[netsysadmin]

Are you using an Active Directory domain or do you have your network setup as a workgroup? If you have no AD you wont be able to do my documents redirects via group policies.

John

 

[Uhtrinity]

It is a full Active Directory network, with a single server taking on all of the roles. Domain server, print server, nat server, dns server, file server, and Websense security software server. All students and staff including myself (about 250 accounts) use our active directory logins daily. I had tried implementing folder redirection last summer, but couldn't get it working in time and had to move onto setting up the rest of the school, including the computer lab. It is really the last thing I haven't been able to implement, and now that I have some down time I would like to get it working.

 

[RebateMonger]

How are you opening up the Group Policy Editor? You certainly appear to be editing a Local Policy rather than a Domain Policy.

 

[Uhtrinity]

By running gpedit.msi through the run command, this is in the administration account on the server.

 

[stash]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
By running gpedit.msi through the run command, this is in the administration account on the server.

That's why I suggested using GPMC

If you run GPMC and then right click on a policy and click edit, you are guaranteed to be editing that policy. You can't edit local policies in GPMC.

Only use gpedit.msc if you want to edit the DC's local policy (which should be almost never).

 

[kevnich2]

It doesn't really sound like your listening to us on how to edit the CORRECT group policy. We've reached a general consensus that your editing the local policy rather than the group policy. So the next step on your part is to do what you have to do to get to the correct area so obviously what your doing isn't opening the correct group policy. Listen to us and run the group policy management tool and then see what happens rather than not trying anything differently than what you've been doing.

 

[kevnich2]

It doesn't really sound like your listening to us on how to edit the CORRECT group policy. We've reached a general consensus that your editing the local policy rather than the group policy. So the next step on your part is to do what you have to do to get to the correct area so obviously what your doing isn't opening the correct group policy. Listen to us and run the group policy management tool and then see what happens rather than not trying anything differently than what you've been doing.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
It doesn't really sound like your listening to us on how to edit the CORRECT group policy. We've reached a general consensus that your editing the local policy rather than the group policy. So the next step on your part is to do what you have to do to get to the correct area so obviously what your doing isn't opening the correct group policy. Listen to us and run the group policy management tool and then see what happens rather than not trying anything differently than what you've been doing.

I'm listening and I do appreciate the tips, and have run both gpedit and gpmc, but obviously I'm not finding what I need, or have been unable to open the group policy.

I will try again when I get to work today.


and in response to:

Well the problem looks like your not even in the correct area. That's the local computer's group policy, not the domain. Go into active directory, right click your domain, click properties. Select the group policy tab, then click open. You should be able to get it from there.

This is how I was doing it last summer when I first attempted to implement folder redirection, now I can't even find it using this method. I didn't start using gpedit until Monday when I finally had time to readdress it. Not much time to work on everything when you do all of IT for the school, and teach the computer lab classes, all on a part time job.

During the summer I didn't have an issue applying the policy, the problem was with folder privileges. It would work on admin level accounts, but not with general users.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
I'm listening and I do appreciate the tips, and have run both gpedit and gpmc, but obviously I'm not finding what I need, or have been unable to open the group policy.

If you run GPResult in a DOS window on a client XP Professional computer, you will see the list of Applied Group Policy Objects. This will give you the names of CURRENTLY applied GPOs. At least you'll know the names of the GPOs that you are looking for. Edit one of THOSE. You should see the "Folder Redirection" option. If you don't, then something else is wrong.

You probably don't want to actually CHANGE any Default Group Policies, but at least you can see if the "Folder Redirection option" is there.

 

[Uhtrinity]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
I'm listening and I do appreciate the tips, and have run both gpedit and gpmc, but obviously I'm not finding what I need, or have been unable to open the group policy.

If you run GPResult in a DOS window on a client XP Professional computer, you will see the list of Applied Group Policy Objects. This will give you the names of CURRENTLY applied GPOs. At least you'll know the names of the GPOs that you are looking for. Edit one of THOSE. You should see the "Folder Redirection" option. If you don't, then something else is wrong.

Thanks for the tip. I know it won't show up on any of the current accounts as I had only applied it to a test account which has since been deleted. That is how I did it then, create a test account, apply the policy, test it to see if it would work, which I assume is good practice.

I know how you guys must feel, I have about 15 years IT experience, but it is at the small business level and lower. I have had many seemingly clueless clients and hate being on this end.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Uhtrinity
Thanks for the tip. I know it won't show up on any of the current accounts as I had only applied it to a test account which has since been deleted.

I'm just saying that:

On a Domain, there are certainly going to be a few built-in Group Policy Objects being applied to your client PCs. Find out what those are named. Then play with your GPO Editor until you are able to load one of those. Right now, you appear to be editing the Local Group Policy on your Server, as evidenced by the words "Local Computer Policy" at the top of the screenshot you posted.

As an aside, one of the niceties of Small Business Server 2003 is how easy it is to edit Group Policies from the "Server Management" menu. Too bad that functionality isn't built into the Standard Server 2003 product.