Linux Enterprise Desktops

[Michael R. James]

Having spent over 6 years as a network administrator with approximately 1200 
users spread across the US in a multi-site WAN, I was charged with seriously 
looking at Linux for the desktop and server environments.  I have experience 
with Microsoft NT, and Novell Netware servers.  Based on my experience, along 
with the research I completed, I believe that Linux can successfully control 
the desktops.  There must, however, be some prerequisites completed first.  
Enterprises won't just drop Windows (or Netware) and migrate to Linux on a 
whim.    There has to be some type of blueprint available, allowing them a 
smooth transition from one to the other.  I've scoured the web and found very 
little documentation in transitioning existing networks to Linux solutions.  I 
propose that the administrators in this forum share their experiences, both the 
problems encountered and the solutions implemented.  

Windows NT allows for either a workgroup configuration, where every workstation 
maintains it's own user id's and passwords, or for central authentication, the 
Primary Domain Controller.  The workgroup environment is easily mimicked with 
Linux, as every Linux workstation would maintain it's own list of users and 
passwords.  The Primary Domain Controller could also be mimicked, using a NIS 
server.  The question is how to implement Backup Domain Controllers?  Could the 
NIS database be securely replicated to other servers?  Common "home" 
directories could be maintained as NFS exports from a central server.  Printing 
is a no brainer, using LPR/LPD.  Star Office could be used as the 
wordprocessor, spreadsheet, etc application.  What services are absolutely 
necessary for the Linux workstations?  Certainly, each and every workstation 
wouldn't need MySQL or Apache running as a service.  How would one implement 
NTP for standard time synchronization on the network?  How would one plan and 
implement a heterogeneous network, with Linux, Window, and Mac clients?  What 
obstacles are now forced on the plan?  Certainly an enterprise migrating to 
Linux would not do so in a day.  They would be much more receptive to a phased 
transition, which would ultimately mean heterogeneous clients on the network.

Until a "blueprint" or outline for the transition is detailed, I fail to see 
Linux being implemented in the Enterprise on a grand scale.  I believe all the 
pieces are present for this eventuality.  They just need to be orchestrated 
into a reasonable solution.  Perhaps we, as a group, could contribute to this.

Thoughts, ideas are welcome.


Michael R. James, CNE
mrjames at localnet.com