How to Resolve “Host is Not Configured as a Member Server Net Ads” Error

Greetings Dev! If you are encountering the error message “Host is not configured as a member server net ads”, you are not alone. This error is one of the most common issues faced by system administrators and IT professionals. Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve this issue. In this article, we will take a deep dive into this error, its causes, and how to fix it.

Understanding the Error Message

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand what this error message means. The error message “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” is typically caused by an issue with the configuration of the host as a member server in Active Directory. This error usually occurs when a Linux host is attempting to join a Windows domain but fails to do so.

When this error occurs, it usually prevents the host from being added to the domain, which can cause a range of issues, such as inability to access network resources or authenticate users. Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve this issue.

Causes of “Host is Not Configured as a Member Server Net Ads” Error

There are several causes of “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error. Some of the most common causes are:

Now that we have understood the causes of the error, let’s explore the solutions.

Solution 1: Correctly Configure the Host as a Member Server

The first and most common solution to resolve the “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error is to correctly configure the host as a member server in Active Directory. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Install the Required Packages

The first step is to install the necessary packages that enable Linux hosts to be joined to a Windows domain. The packages required can vary depending on the Linux distribution being used. However, the most common packages required are Samba, Kerberos, and Winbind. To install these packages, run the following command:

sudo apt-get install samba krb5-user winbind

Step 2: Edit the Samba Configuration File

The next step is to edit the Samba configuration file to configure the host to use the Active Directory domain controller. To do this, run the following command:

sudo nano /etc/samba/smb.conf

Add the following lines to the [global] section of the configuration file:

workgroup = DOMAIN_NAMEserver string = SERVER_NAMEsecurity = adsrealm = DOMAIN_NAME.COMpassword server = DOMAIN_CONTROLLER_IP_ADDRESS

Replace DOMAIN_NAME with the name of your domain, SERVER_NAME with the name of your server, DOMAIN_NAME.COM with the name of your realm, and DOMAIN_CONTROLLER_IP_ADDRESS with the IP address of your domain controller.

Step 3: Join the Domain

The last step is to join the Linux host to the Windows domain. To join the domain, run the following command:

sudo net ads join -U administrator

Replace administrator with the username of an account that has permission to join the domain.

Solution 2: Check DNS and Firewall Settings

If the first solution fails to resolve the issue, the next step is to check the DNS and firewall settings. In some cases, DNS issues or firewall restrictions can prevent the host from joining the domain. To check the DNS and firewall settings, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Verify DNS Settings

The first step is to verify that the Linux host is using the correct DNS settings. To verify the DNS settings, run the following command:

sudo cat /etc/resolv.conf

This should display the DNS servers configured on the Linux host. Ensure that the DNS servers are correctly configured and can resolve the domain controller’s IP address.

Step 2: Check Firewall Settings

The next step is to check the firewall settings on the Linux host and the domain controller. Ensure that the required ports are open to allow communication between the Linux host and the domain controller. The ports required can vary depending on the Linux distribution being used. However, the most common ports required are TCP 88, TCP/UDP 53, TCP/UDP 135, and TCP/UDP 445.

Solution 3: Check Active Directory Settings

If the first two solutions fail to resolve the issue, the next step is to check the Active Directory settings. Ensure that the domain controller is configured correctly and that the domain is functioning correctly. You can use the Active Directory tools to verify the domain settings and troubleshoot any issues.

FAQ

Q1. What is the “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error?

The “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error is an error message that typically occurs when a Linux host is attempting to join a Windows domain but fails to do so. The error is caused by an issue with the configuration of the host as a member server in Active Directory.

Q2. What are the causes of the “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error?

The causes of the “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error can include incorrect configuration, invalid credentials, firewall restrictions, and DNS issues.

Q3. How can I resolve the “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error?

You can resolve the “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error by correctly configuring the host as a member server in Active Directory, checking the DNS and firewall settings, and checking the Active Directory settings.

That’s it, Dev! We hope this article has helped you to resolve the “Host is not configured as a member server net ads” error. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.