Ubuntu test setup

[Sheridan]

Bit of a noob question here

 

I'm loooking to setup a test lab with a client server environment where the server manages the clients (much in the same way as Windows and GPOs if possible)

 

Now I'm fairly familiar with Ubuntu as a client but I've never set this sort of system up.

 

Basically if I stick with Ubuntu what would anyone recommend to do this? Is there a way of controlling a desktop (not so much in the thin client way) but in the policy method?

 

Ideally I would like to use the server to lock down a dozen or so clients - nothing too drastic just the usual security and appearance settings?

 

Bit of a vague question I know but I'm looking into various options!

[mjs_mjs]

policy kit is one such software tho i have not used it. Landscape is another but it's not free (i believe)

 

PolicyKit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Landscape | Canonical

[Sheridan]

It would have to be free (initially anyway!)

[Cue]

Samba4 can serve GPO and AD, to the point where I do believe you can use the Microsoft Management Console to manage users and such (don't quote me on this).

 

For GPO on Linux, use this: Free Active Directory Tools for UNIX, Linux and Mac OS X haven't used it myself, but it looks pretty good.

[Sheridan]

I take there is no linux equivalent to group policy? I only want to apply light lockdowns/settings (much in the same way I do with GPOs or Preferences on the Macs)