Comment My thoughts (Score 1) 904
Basically, what Op means are following points, with my current knowledge of Linux:
(I am just linux enthusiast and i do use linux as my desktop at home and at work, so if i made any mistake please correct me)
1) Central User Management with login (just like one within AD)
- There are services for Linux/Unix OS that allow you to log on centrally, but i did not hear of possibility of cached login(just like AD login in Windows environment)
2) Central administration of file and folder shares
- In Linux, this can be done on server level and shares can be automatically mounted on client machines, but this brings big overhead in scripts and modifications on local machines
3) Central fileaccess and application control for both shares and local harddrives
- even if there is any application installed on client pc, does not mean that everyone is allowed to use it. I don't know if there is the way to controll that
4) Central printer sharing and configuration with (almost automatic printer installation on local machines)
- Not everyone can use everyy printer, e.g. users printing their private stuff on companies color laser.
- Also, you install printer in windows, and your printer server sends you particular driver if you don't have appropriate.
- How can that be solved on linux... don't ask me.
5) Central Login services
- in full and properly configured windows environment, user does not need to enter extra credentials to access intranet or any shares, these resources know if they are allowed to be accessed by particular user.
6) Patch management for servers and clients
- This is easy one.
- Create your own mirror of official repository, where you only download stuff which is allowed on your networkm, and use it for passing updates to software on your local machines.
- This is not as easy as WSUS Server, you have to manually track all changes and you have to copy each and every package which you need on local machine(s).
- Sounds error prone, doesn't it?
7) Network/Internet access
- This is easy one, because you just have to configure transparent proxy and you can regulate your trafic through it.
- Buuuut, you have to go to separate machine and configure it there. No central management of your proxy boxes.
- Question, how do you controll that guy in warehouse, does not surf internet all the day, instead of working? This function needs fine granulated access list management, preferably on central location.
These are only few things, that i could pull out of head right now. I know, there are solutions for each and every one, and some are easy, while other are complex, but these are all independent from each other. We need a central management console for whole environment. And i'm not talking about little companies, with 5 servers and 50 clients. I'm talking about enterprise solutions, about networks with multiple locations, every having hundreds of servers and thousdands of clients.
Is AD good? Not really, but it almost satisfies what people need, and people use AD because there is no other solution. My best example is bigest crap of software that exists on this planet, Exchange 2007. But companies will deply it, because there is no better solution for thier and companies needs. "A mail/calender/tasks/communication (exchange) server with local application (outlook) where people can set their "out of office" message easily." That was exactly the decision why my ex company got exchange. anyway. let me stop ranting.
Bye,
Alex
(I am just linux enthusiast and i do use linux as my desktop at home and at work, so if i made any mistake please correct me)
1) Central User Management with login (just like one within AD)
- There are services for Linux/Unix OS that allow you to log on centrally, but i did not hear of possibility of cached login(just like AD login in Windows environment)
2) Central administration of file and folder shares
- In Linux, this can be done on server level and shares can be automatically mounted on client machines, but this brings big overhead in scripts and modifications on local machines
3) Central fileaccess and application control for both shares and local harddrives
- even if there is any application installed on client pc, does not mean that everyone is allowed to use it. I don't know if there is the way to controll that
4) Central printer sharing and configuration with (almost automatic printer installation on local machines)
- Not everyone can use everyy printer, e.g. users printing their private stuff on companies color laser.
- Also, you install printer in windows, and your printer server sends you particular driver if you don't have appropriate.
- How can that be solved on linux... don't ask me.
5) Central Login services
- in full and properly configured windows environment, user does not need to enter extra credentials to access intranet or any shares, these resources know if they are allowed to be accessed by particular user.
6) Patch management for servers and clients
- This is easy one.
- Create your own mirror of official repository, where you only download stuff which is allowed on your networkm, and use it for passing updates to software on your local machines.
- This is not as easy as WSUS Server, you have to manually track all changes and you have to copy each and every package which you need on local machine(s).
- Sounds error prone, doesn't it?
7) Network/Internet access
- This is easy one, because you just have to configure transparent proxy and you can regulate your trafic through it.
- Buuuut, you have to go to separate machine and configure it there. No central management of your proxy boxes.
- Question, how do you controll that guy in warehouse, does not surf internet all the day, instead of working? This function needs fine granulated access list management, preferably on central location.
These are only few things, that i could pull out of head right now. I know, there are solutions for each and every one, and some are easy, while other are complex, but these are all independent from each other. We need a central management console for whole environment. And i'm not talking about little companies, with 5 servers and 50 clients. I'm talking about enterprise solutions, about networks with multiple locations, every having hundreds of servers and thousdands of clients.
Is AD good? Not really, but it almost satisfies what people need, and people use AD because there is no other solution. My best example is bigest crap of software that exists on this planet, Exchange 2007. But companies will deply it, because there is no better solution for thier and companies needs. "A mail/calender/tasks/communication (exchange) server with local application (outlook) where people can set their "out of office" message easily." That was exactly the decision why my ex company got exchange. anyway. let me stop ranting.
Bye,
Alex
