Newbie

[David Groos]

Nice to read this high-level conversation. Two things I would add:

1. Consider using LTSP-pnp with Epoptes. This is a great way to address some of the challenges you mentioned (and that I’ve encountered as a 25-year science teacher using 15-20 computers in my classroom). It can work with LDAP/Active Directory.
2. If you do continue the conversation on IRC, please copy/paste the IRC dialog back into this thread so that others can search/find and learn from the problems and wisdom shared.

Best of luck,
David G

On Sep 13, 2014, at 8:21 AM, cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com> wrote:

> Chris:
> 
> Welcome to the list. I would like to get some more information before I
> offer some advice. If you want we could arrange to meet and discuss
> these items on IRC instead of continuing an email thread; I leave the
> choice to you.
> 
> See my responses below:
> 
> On Sat, 2014-09-13 at 07:18 -0400, Chris Howey wrote:
>> I'm brand new to using Edubuntu. I have installed it as the operating
>> system for the small, private school I work for.
> 
> How many computers is it installed on? If your fleet of devices is large
> you will want to employ some configuration management system to automate
> deployment, patches and settings. Managing 30 computers is feasible by
> hand (though inconsistencies due to human error are still possible), but
> managing 4000 computers by hand is not feasible. Even if you have a
> small number of computers using a configuration management tool can have
> benefits.
> 
> There are choices like Landscape (1), ZenWorks (2), Puppet (3), Chef
> (4), Ansible (5) and Salt (6).
>> 
>> I am looking for suggestions as to how to make better use of this
>> amazing distribution - especially as it pertains to securing computer
>> labs.
> 
> Using the aforementioned tools for configuration management is one step
> towards securing the computing resources since it will ensure patches
> are applied. In order to offer more suggestions I would need to know
> what your concerns are for securing the computer labs. I do have the
> following questions though:
> 
>      * Do you have an identity management solution in place (Active
>        Directory, Open Directory, Novel Directory Services, OpenLDAP,
>        ApacheDS, 389 Directory Server, OpenDJ)?
>      * Do you have file servers or other network accessible resources
>        you need to secure? (keep students away from SchoolTool, etc)
>      * What operating system is used by faculty and staff?
>      * Are you concerned about students changing configurations on
>        computers?
>      * Do you currently have any ability to collect logs from your
>        client computing devices and server infrastructure?
> 
> I have 15 years of experience in a K-12 school and currently manage the
> core infrastructure (servers, virtualization, disaster recovery, Active
> Directory, etc). When I first started I was responsible for everything
> from the desktop to the server infrastructure. Based on that I would
> focus on configuration management, identity management and logging of
> events/activity.
> 
> I would be happy to get deeper in to your particular environment.
> 
> 
> Charles
>> 
>> 
> (1) - https://landscape.canonical.com/
> (2) - https://www.novell.com/products/zenworks/endpoint-management/
> (3) - http://puppetlabs.com/
> (4) - http://www.getchef.com/chef/
> (5) - http://www.ansible.com/home
> (6) - http://www.saltstack.com/
>> 
>> 
> 
> -- 
> cprofitt <cprofitt at ubuntu.com>
> 
> 
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