I'm currently working at a small company that helps people get back to work after illness. We're planning to move from Windows to Linux to save on costs, and we've started using a few computers with Kubuntu, but everything is still being managed manually. I'm considering a plan to convert to CentOS Stream and use Ansible to set up all the computers at once. My idea is to configure Ansible to install necessary software and handle updates automatically. Am I on the right track, or am I missing something important?
4 Answers
A quick note: does your team really understand the implications of switching to Linux? If you're a non-profit, remember that Windows licenses can be quite affordable, especially through channels like TechSoup. Plus, consider what tasks your endpoints are handling; ChromeOS might be an easier solution for desktop management than trying to set up Linux systems.
Ansible might not be the best fit for user-facing endpoints since desktops and laptops can be asleep or turned off. It's great for servers that are always on, but for desktops, consider agent-based tools like Puppet or Chef, which can handle compliance checks better when machines reconnect or check in.
Came in here thinking about your use of Kubuntu—why not just keep it simple and use solutions like Endpoint Central for managing your systems? There's no need to reinvent the wheel here; focus on efficiency.
If you're already comfortable with the Kubuntu setup, I wouldn’t rush to switch distros. You can manage the other machines with Ansible without needing to install it on each client. Just set it up on your admin machine, keep an inventory of the clients, and ensure they have an SSH server and the right Python requirements. To keep packages updated, use the Ansible package module and set the state to 'latest'—that’ll make sure everything is up to date. If you need to remove software, you can set the state to 'absent'.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Yes, we are a non-profit, so I think they're looking at discounted licensing. Not sure if they've used TechSoup, but I’m just trying to find my way back to work in this environment.