This is a long post with a few questions in it. They are all related to the same issue though, and solving one or the other will probably solve the others. I did look on superuser for similar questions but none of the answers really helped me understand how things work and the limitations.
I really appreciate anyone who can answer any of my questions. Even if it just one of them.
I have a domain controller with several workstations attached on a local network at work. Currently the workstations all login with a domain account. There are a few shared drives that can be accessed based on security policies. I am looking into folder redirection and have a few questions that Microsoft TechNet failed to explain well.
For reference, the server is running Windows Small Business Server 2008 R2, and the workstations run Windows 7. Everything is done locally other than laptops which connect to the VPN and then the network shares with their domain logins but have user profiles set up outside the domain. I would assume any sort of folder redirection is impossible in those cases but if anyone knows a way to setup a laptop to use a Domain Account login, and still log into the account when not in the domain then let me know.
First off, what's the point of redirecting My Documents to the "Home Directory"? I assume that by home directory they mean C:\Users\username\ like in *nix or is that incorrect? If so that makes no sense as My Documents resides within that directory. Some research suggested the Home Directory was really C:\Windows or C:\System32 but that also baffles. So the second question is what is this "Home Directory" they refer to on Windows?
Next, folder redirection in general. I have a vague understanding of how it works from what I could glean from TechNet, but I really don't get what it does exactly.
To help in understanding what I'm asking I'll explain what I'm looking to accomplish. Mainly I would like to find a way to redirect certain directories, or the entire C:\User\username directory on each of the workstations within the domain to certain directories on the Domain Controller or if possible preferably on a NAS attached to the network. (The available NAS are a Lacie 5 Big, and a Synology RackStation 814+).
I also would like to accomplish the redirection of all recycle bins onto the domain controller/NAS. So that when anyone deletes something it remains for a certain time/until I remove it. Also when files are deleted from the network shares on a workstation, the file doesn't go into any recycle bins. I would like to have the files do the same thing as the other recycle bin files. Finally, if the recycle bin redirection is possible can it display data as to what was deleted by what PC, when? Is any of this possible? If so what is the proper route to set this up and if not what is possible to achieve something close to my goals.
In summary I would like for at least a certain part/the entire user directory to reside elsewhere and use up space there rather than on the local machine. Also for the recycle bins to be redirected to the DC/NAS as well as have files on the Network Shares that are deleted by workstations actually go to a recycling bin rather than just disappear completely.
Thanks a million for any advice, I know this was a very long question with multiple questions in it. But they are all related to the same topic and while I'm great with Linux servers, Windows servers throw me off.