You can just use cron-apt and your own apt-repo to deploy applications and manage updates, like Microsofts SMS but better.<br><br>Using PXE and a customised image you could network boot and install all the machines as well, same as MS's RIS or WDS.<br> <br>you could stay with AD if you want or move to straight LDAP as others have said. I have done deployments of Linux Workstations into an already established AD domain. The first one is hard, but once it is done, I had made some scripts to do the rest, 15 minutes to manually deploy a workstation, but PXE boot would take that to 15minutes install time but no interaction.<br> <br><div class="gmail_quote">On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 9:50 AM, Dave Hall <<a href="mailto:dave.hall@skwashd.com">dave.hall@skwashd.com</a>> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> Hi Null,<br> <br> Can I start by asking that you use your real name when posting to this<br> list.  I think it is polite for us to be able to identify you properly.<br> <div class="Ih2E3d"><br> On Fri, 2008-07-04 at 04:21 +1000, Null Ack wrote:<br> > Im reflecting on a infrastructure project I did recently and how this<br> > might have been done using Linux servers (Ubuntu). In this example the<br> > desktops have to remain the approved XP SOE. To give an outline of the<br> > environment:<br> <br> </div>...<br> <div class="Ih2E3d"><br> > Im not sure about the software distribution aspetcs and group policy?<br> <br> </div>Last year I was working at SGI on their NAS product.  I was involved in<br> adding HA support to it.  These systems can support petabytes of data,<br> if your budget can.  Most network services running under Linux support<br> distribution/replication/fail over.<br> <br> Samba 4 will offer native support for AD and group policy.  AFAIK<br> packaging up MSIs is pretty easy on a Windows desktop, but debs are<br> easier :P<br> <div class="Ih2E3d"><br> > Im curious about this. What I see happening is Linux being used for<br> > app / web / DB servers but not alot in infrastructure for desktops -<br> > maybe it just the places Ive worked at.<br> <br> </div>I think you will find it is the places you have worked.  For example,<br> yesterday I was contacted to discuss an Australian based ubuntu desktop<br> roll out project involving thousands of desktop and no, I can't provide<br> more info at this stage.  The client already runs a Linux based back<br> office with some desktops tux powered.<br> <br> Cheers<br> <font color="#888888"><br> Dave<br> </font><div><div></div><div class="Wj3C7c"><br> <br> --<br> ubuntu-au mailing list<br> <a href="mailto:ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com">ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com</a><br> <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au" target="_blank">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au</a><br> </div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Regards<br>Morgan Storey,A+, MCSE:Security.<br>Senior Network and Security Consultant.