I've been hearing a lot about the push for automation in managing devices, but when issues arise, it seems like SSH is still the go-to method for troubleshooting Linux systems. If we're supposed to manage over 500 Linux devices at scale, I've seen suggestions to use MDM solutions like SureMDM. But is there a more effective way to handle this? What are the best practices for managing Linux devices in bulk?
4 Answers
I manage a similar number of Linux servers, and I can vouch for using Ansible. It’s reliable and efficient for handling tasks across multiple devices without too much hassle.
Be cautious with the "automate everything" crowd. They often suggest using MDM solutions that are more suited for mobile devices than Linux systems. For me, using SSH combined with Ansible playbooks is the way to go. MDM providers are primarily just trying to sell you their solutions, even when managing with Ansible is a well-established method for the past couple of decades.
Ansible is really all you need for managing a large number of Linux servers. It's automated and works well for keeping everything in check.
In scenarios involving a lot of remote devices, particularly on unmanaged networks, some level of MDM can be beneficial, even for Linux. But in general, if you have the resources, you might as well create your own management solution. Just keep in mind that I’m not advocating for any specific tool or AI-driven management.
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