How to Join Rocky Linux 9 into Windows Active Directory

Join Rocky Linux 9 / Alma Linux 9 / Centos Stream 9 / REHL 9 into Windows Active Directory Domain using Samba Winbind.

Learn how to seamlessly connect your Linux machines to Windows domain controllers using Samba Winbind. This guide provides simple step-by-step instructions to help you integrate Rocky Linux 9, Alma Linux 9, CentOS Stream 9, or RHEL 9 with a Windows Active Directory Domain.

NOTE: Although these steps may also be applicable to version 8, they were specifically tested on version 9.

Here are the simple steps to do this:

1. Install winbind

   # dnf -y install samba-winbind samba-winbind-clients oddjob-mkhomedir

2. Configure your kerberos as below.

   # cp /etc/krb5.conf /etc/krb5.conf-ORIG
   # vi /etc/krb5.conf

   # line 20 : uncomment and specify Realm

   default_realm = ZMATECH

   # line 24-28 : uncomment and specify Realm and Hostname of AD
   
   [realms]
   ZMATECH = {
   kdc = zmatech.com
   admin_server = zmatech.com
   }

   NOTE: Replace ZMATECH and zmatech.com above to your respective domain names.

3. Configure samba.

   #  cp /etc/samba/smb.conf /etc/samba/smb.conf-ORIG
   # vi /etc/samba/smb.conf

   # Remove or comment out the [global] section of the smb.conf file, replace it with the below content.
   # replace [realm] and [workgroup] for your environment
   
   [global]
   kerberos method = secrets and keytab
   realm = ZMATECH.COM
   workgroup = ZMATECH
   security = ads
   template shell = /bin/bash
   winbind enum groups = Yes
   winbind enum users = Yes
   idmap config * : rangesize = 1000000
   idmap config * : range = 1000000-19999999
   idmap config * : backend = autorid
   

4. Run below winbind commands and enable oddjobd service.

   # authselect select winbind --force
   # authselect enable-feature with-mkhomedir
   # systemctl enable  --now oddjobd 

5. Join your Linux box to AD.
   NOTE:  The administrator must be a user in AD with privileges to add a device to AD.  Therefore replace administrator appropriately. 

   # net ads join -U Administrator

Ignore any DNS related errors.

6. Enable winbind

   # systemctl enable --now winbind

Thats it!! You have connected your linux box to AD.

7. Connect to server:
   From mac or linux terminal, ssh to the server as follows:

   $ ssh ZMATECH\\username@your-linux-box-ip
   OR
   $ ssh username@zmatech.com@your-linux-box-ip

Enjoy!!!