Google Drive Implementing at at a School

[SimonInOz]

Hi,

 

We have a traditional Microsoft Windows Server shares setup, and the Principal wants to investigate the use of Google so we can do the same in the 'cloud'. Has anyone got any experience with this, particularly thinking about shares security, providing access to authenticated Azure users etc. Can someone point me in the right direction here?

 

Cheers

[rogerdnixon]

We use Drive (and all of Workspace) across out Trust. Local server shares no long exist at most sites and have been replaced by Shared Drives. Shared Drive access is generally control by Group membership, which is in turn normally a function of OU membership and auto populated with GAM scripts. PCs at our primaries (and some secondary's) are managed by Google Enhanced Desktop Security - so everything is done in one admin console (not Azure) + everything SSO by default. Drive App set to launch on startup. Where we have local AD still we use Goggle Credential Provider for Windows to provide SSO.

 

Migration of files from local shares to Shared Drives we have done using the Google Drive App on a server and just left it to do its stuff.

 

I'd recommend embracing the entire Google ecosystem and not just Drive rather than a bit of MS stuff and a bit of Google stuff.

[slugshead]

Its worth noting that the Google drive for desktop app streams files in the newer versions rather than syncing the drive contents to the local disk, adds the sharing options to context menus and all sorts. Also maps the users Google drive as a G:

 

I'm still a bit sceptical going all in for Google with all staff, it's fine for teaching staff but admin staff seem to oppose it a lot

[rogerdnixon]

People simply fear anything new. We have 10000's of users all on Drive and on a day to day basis it gives zero issues. Training for new staff is important and pointing them to how to guides. We have the occasional ticket about how to move X folder or file from A to B - but thats it. I would recommend going Plus for licencing which wheich means you get the god like magic powers of the investigation tool.

[TwistedHelixis]

We have not gone as far as the post above, one day I hope. Currently have Drive desktop app running on Windows laptops, it works fine at my 4 schools and has done so for about 4 years now. Pupils now have Chromebooks. Havent even setup AD to Google user sync, they login with AD account to laptop and then login to Chrome if they have never used the laptop before, otherwise it will remember their chrome logon for a while. Google Drive desktop app uses Chrome login to authenticate itself, so that's a lot better now.

 

For users home folders, I got all the staff to drag n drop any files they needed into their Google Drive > My drive. Only had to help a couple of teachers across all 4 schools.

 

Things were a little different a few years ago, but now for all shared server folders I would install Google Drive onto the data server, create all the shared areas and dump all the files inside the correct areas, nice and simple.

[jthompson]

The Google Drive for Desktop app is a must for Windows users.

I'd also strongly recommend having a backup and recovery solution in place for your Google data (e.g. backupify), in case of any bulk deletion accidents or ransonware getting hold of it (especially if you're using the Drive for Desktop utility). Google will be responsible for protecting your data from server problems and the like on their end, but recovering from ransomware attack or similar situation is not their responsibility.