How to manage unmanaged Linux workstations across an organization
Applying standard enterprise MDM to Linux desktops usually ends in frustration, leaving users to configure systems and solve problems entirely on their own. This lack of centralized management prevents sysadmins from effectively securing and maintaining decentralized Linux fleets.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Leaving Linux users to handle problems on their own
- 2Hosting utilities on centralized servers and having users SSH in instead of using physical desktops
- 3Using ad-hoc support for a minimized Linux fleet
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Every discussion I’ve seen on trying to apply “enterprise MDM“ to Linux has usually ended in frustration.”source ↗
SuddenVegetable8801 · r/sysadmin · 1 upvotes
“Currently Linux users do whatever they want and if they have problems they have to solve it on their own.”source ↗
Toribor · r/sysadmin · 1 upvotes
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4How to manage remote IT infrastructure without a dedicated team
- 2Why do I have to pay per-user licenses for shared computers?
- 4How to migrate remote management platforms without rebuilding everything
- 5How to choose between N-able and Action1 for patching and remote support
- 6Why is managing company mobile devices and mail apps so frustrating?
- 2How do you find the owner of an abandoned cloud server?