I'm in search of a way to manage a small fleet of Ubuntu laptops located across different locations on the internet. These machines are not connected to a VPN, and I currently don't have any methods to determine their IP addresses. I need a solution that allows me to deploy security patches and update our applications at specified times. Ideally, I would also like the capability to remotely access them for debugging purposes, similar to SSH access. I've tried using Ubuntu Landscape, but it lacks the remote control function I need. Am I overlooking something? Are there other alternatives that could better meet these requirements? I considered Ansible, but since it relies on SSH, it seems unfeasible without IP access.
5 Answers
You could also consider options like NoMachine, Splashtop, Rustdesk, AnyDesk, or even set up your own Guacamole server for remote access. It sounds like you're in need of a solid remote management solution.
Have you tried MeshCentral? It's pretty decent for remote connections, though the web interface isn't the best. You just set it up on a server and install the agent on all your laptops to connect them remotely.
You might want to look into using a P2P VPN like ZeroTier or Tailscale. With those, you can connect directly to the laptops, and then use Ansible for provisioning from any host on the network.
How about Tailscale? It sets all the machines onto a private network over the internet, making them accessible as if they're on the same local network. This way, you can manage them using your usual tools like Ansible.
Tailscale seems promising! The devices operate in a zero-trust environment, which fits our needs well. I see it supports integration with OAuth, but I might have to create a custom OAuth client for our self-hosted server—though that's similar to what I'd have to do for Landscape.
I appreciate the advice! I hadn't thought about AnyDesk—could be a hassle-free option for what I need.
Thanks for the suggestion! I should mention that I work in a regulated industry (transport), so getting approval for open-source solutions might be difficult.