Rip out 2012 replace with Linux

[Delgado]

Seriously thinking of ripping out Windows server 2012 at our school and replacing it with Ubuntu Linux server. One of the drivers for this is the bottomless pit of OVS server licensing and other costs like server Anti Virus licensing from our re-seller. There is an urgent need to save money.

 

I'm a returner to Active Directory after spending years in-between installing Linux server as an alternative for small business.

I have the ghastly spectacle of roaming profiles and embedded group policy - half of which is dysfunctional. It's not pretty.

This system is inherited from the last support company here.

I prefer Linux when ultimately all I'm trying to do is deliver network drives to the PC's and have centalised account control.

 

Anyone run Linux and Samba here?

Edited October 9, 2022 by Delgado
Edited for less rant

[dhicks]

I prefer Linux when ultimately all I'm trying to do is deliver network drives to the PC's and have centalised account control.

 

Possibly dependent on your exact setup, but do you actually need on-site servers / services at all? If you had Windows or Mac machines log in to Google Workspace or Microsoft Teams accounts you shouldn't need your own directory servers, and that would take care of email and file storage as well. Pretty much all you need on-site these days is an Internet gateway and maybe some smaller devices for things like WiFi, print and telephone services. You might want to keep a local backup of any cloud-stored email or files just in case.

[Delgado]

Agree that the cloud is where it is all heading. A bit of local disk capacity on the LAN is useful though. Linux/Unix is perfect for this for big media files and share authentication.

AD on a small manually manageable network seems overkill. It made me chuckle looking at all the Group policies. It's warzone of group policies vs roaming profiles.

Edited October 9, 2022 by Delgado