On Wednesday 08 October 2008, Matthias Johnson wrote:
> I was curious if there is a way to set group policy on windows pcs using
> a linux based server.  I assume it isn't possible but again just curious. 

Samba is capable of acting as a Domain Controller, so that's probably
what I'd look at first.

> Also I was interested in how one would setup a network entirely linux based
> down to the workstations/clients.  Is there a Group Policy equivalent for
> Ubuntu server?

Other than Samba, not that I know of.  A package search for "group policy"
comes up with squat.

> My main concerns would be stopping a user from just plugging in a
> printer, dvd/cd-rom, or flash pen without disabling USB functionality
> that may be needed for a keyboard or mouse.

You might be able to keep certain devices like dvd/cdrom or USB pen
drives from showing up by reconfiguring UDEV.  It's possible to configure
UDEV to blacklist certain modules, for instance.

> Is there a way to have only certain approved hardware signatures?

Donno.

> From what I can tell hardware is installed based upon the 
> chipset that it has rather than the brand or model.  Is there a way to
> prevent installs of one model that may have inferior build quality to a
> better quality device but both use the same chipset?

My guess is no.

> I have found that Ubuntu is very good at adding peripherals which is
> great when you don't have a driver CD but since the drivers are included
> in the kernel does it actually install?

Not exactly -- UDEV is what creates the devices in /dev these days.

> Would you just restrict access to /mnt and /dev and can you block access
> to certain devices but allow others?

You can only do that by reconfiguring UDEV, since all of the files in
/dev are made by UDEV at every boot, so there's no good way without
reconfiguring UDEV to further restrict permissions at least as far as
I know.

> Is controlling the network it best to setup with thin clients so
> that the PC's cannot be tampered with even while it is disconnected
> from the network?

Donno.  There are a lot of considerations concerning PCs vs thin clients.

> Has anyone found a scalable way to determine how fast the server and
> network has to be compared to the client ratio?

I imagine that the Linux Terminal Server Project might have some hints
on that.

   -- Chris

-- 

Chris Knadle
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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