CID (Closed In Directory): Active Directory Just Got Linux-Friendly

CID is one of those niche tools that will make some people's lives easier, while others will read this and say, "huh?" It makes your Linux box play nice with Active Directory. It's a collection of bash scripts that basically lets your Linux machine pretend it's a Windows PC when it comes to AD integration.

Integrating Linux into a Windows-heavy environment can be a major pain. CID simplifies that whole process. This script suite helps you get set up in no time. It works with Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, or well, pretty much any Linux flavor.

CID handles the essentials you'd expect:

Joins your Linux system to an AD domain without jumping through hoops.

Runs logon scripts like you'd see in a Windows environment.

Automatically mounts shared network drives.

Configures printers so users don't have to mess with CUPS manually.

Supports offline logon—yes, even when the network's down.

Grants privileges like sudo access automatically based on group membership.

Example of Use

Let's say you're managing a lab of Ubuntu desktops in a school or office, and users need to access shared folders, printers, and have their AD credentials work everywhere. You'd clone the CID repository with git clone https://git.code.sf.net/p/c-i-d/code c-i-d, then run the setup script using sudo ./c-i-d/install.sh. During setup, you’ll be prompted to enter your AD domain, admin credentials, and a few more bits of info.

Once that's done, CID handles everything: it joins the domain, maps users properly, and configures your system to respect AD policies. Your Linux machines will start logging in users with their AD credentials, auto-mounting their H: drives (or whatever is defined on the Windows side), installing shared printers, and giving domain admins sudo privileges out of the gate.

The end result? It feels like you're using a Windows machine, but you’ve still got all the goodness of Linux under the hood.

Features We Like

Makes AD integration on Linux surprisingly painless

Auto-mounts drives and printers with zero drama

Scripted setup means it's repeatable across machines

Works even when you're offline

Easy sudo access management via AD

Drawbacks

No GUI—purely command-line, so it's not for everyone

Minimal documentation; some trial and error may be required

It's not actively maintained, so future-proofing is iffy

Geek Verdict

CID is a solid pick for sysadmins who want Linux machines to behave like proper AD citizens. It strips away a lot of the complexity and lets you focus on managing systems, not fighting them. It's a bit raw and old-school, but if you're comfortable in the terminal, you'll be fine. If you're running a hybrid shop and tired of cobbling together Samba configs, CID is worth a look.