Hey everyone, I've been curious about the current trends in the IT market, and it seems that Linux administrators are in high demand. With that in mind, I'm interested in gaining some basic knowledge of Linux (specifically Debian). Currently, we have a fleet of 50 computers, all running on Windows.
I'm considering migrating to Linux and using WinServer+ AD DS + DNS + DHCP + FS. We'll also need a third-party program for the firewall.
I'd like to understand how organizations use Linux, the purposes it serves, whether it can support a domain and how user accounts are created. I'm also curious if it's possible to switch client computers to Debian Desktop. Basically, I need advice on how to transition smoothly and what tools to use to manage around 60 office workstations.
While researching online, I came across Zabbix and a mail server (we won't need a web server), which seem to be popular choices.
Even for someone well-versed in Linux, tackling such a task is far from easy. Merely envisioning how it will all come together won't suffice; one can easily make mistakes and struggle to put everything back together.
It's important to understand that Japan is not Europe (I encountered this when translating Princess Evangile multiple times), and Linux is NOT Windows. The ideologies and approaches differ significantly. While it's certainly possible to accomplish tasks, particularly in a standard sales office without complex engineering and design software like ours, it requires extensive and precise knowledge of the system's inner workings.
I mostly transitioned my office to Linux, but I must warn you that your planned approach seems quite risky.
Linux has never been, and will never be, a seamless replacement for Microsoft's infrastructure. It requires extensive customization and often leads to vendor lock-in challenges when attempting to migrate.
If you're interested in exploring Linux, I suggest starting with an old system and setting up a backup server as an initial experiment. It's a relatively low-stakes scenario where you can freely tinker. Once you delve into configuring AD access on this setup, you'll begin to uncover the complexities of the Linux landscape.
Begin by studying, mastering, and gaining practical experience before experimenting with breaking working systems, if you have the inclination. You can set up a virtual machine or a separate server for this purpose, where you can explore tools like Zabbix or a file washer.
Linux is predominantly utilized on servers rather than desktops. While centralized authorization and management are possible, don't expect the same level of convenience as in Windows. Overall, I don't see a compelling reason to migrate the mentioned infrastructure entirely to Linux, but incorporating a few Linux servers could be beneficial.
To begin with, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the three main distribution families: Debian, Red Hat, and Arch. While SUSE, Mandriva, and Gentoo have seen better times, it's important to respect their past contributions.
It's worth noting that Chrome OS, though based on Linux, cannot be considered on par with other distributions, even with its newfound support for running Linux programs.
Within the Debian family, Ubuntu stands out as the obvious choice for beginners. Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, invests significant effort into making the distribution user-friendly, ensuring a wide selection of stable programs are readily available.
Ubuntu also benefits from a large community, which simplifies troubleshooting. Chances are, the issues you encounter have been resolved by experienced users sharing their solutions in forum threads.
Other popular Debian-based distributions include Raspberry Pi OS, MX Linux, and Kali Linux. Linux Mint and elementary OS, both based on Ubuntu, are also excellent options for newcomers.
Installing Kali as your first system is generally not recommended. It is a specialized hacker distribution better suited for virtual machines or as a secondary OS. Additionally, Kali is packed with hacking tools rather than standard applications, which can be overwhelming for beginners. However, if your goal is to explore this aspect of Linux, you're free to proceed.
Debian itself prides itself on license purity, meticulously ensuring that only code distributed under a free license is included. While commendable from an ideological standpoint, this strict adherence to licenses may lead to certain difficulties for those new to Linux.
The Red Hat family encompasses Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and Rocky Linux. Fedora serves well for standard PCs, while RHEL is a commercial solution designed for servers. Rocky Linux, a non-commercial community-driven clone of RHEL, provides an alternative.
Finally, Arch is an intriguing distribution for advanced users who desire complete control over their system. However, diving into Arch without prior Linux knowledge is not recommended. While troubleshooting will yield valuable knowledge, it's better to postpone this path for later.
Variants of Arch, such as Manjaro and EndeavourOS, offer pre-configured environments, making them more accessible. Starting with Manjaro, especially if you plan to install Linux on a low-powered computer, is a reasonable choice.
Understanding the difference between Linux and Unix, we can simplify by acknowledging that Linux is a descendant of Unix. The story goes deeper, with Richard Stallman creating GNU, an operating system that cloned the expensive Unix of that era. GNU rewrote all Unix components and released them under the GPL license they created.
Migrating from a Windows environment to Linux can be a significant change, but it can also bring several benefits. Linux is widely used in organizations for various purposes, such as web hosting, file servers, databases, and more. It is indeed possible to set up a domain using Linux, and there are various tools available to manage user accounts.
To smoothly transition your office workstations to Debian Desktop, you'll need to consider a few steps. First, ensure that all necessary software and applications you use on Windows have suitable alternatives on Linux. This will help ensure a seamless transition and minimize any potential productivity disruptions.
Next, you'll want to set up a Linux server to handle the domain services such as AD DS, DNS, DHCP, and FS. Samba is a popular open-source software suite that provides compatibility with Windows networking protocols and allows you to configure a Linux server as a domain controller. This will enable you to manage user accounts, authentication, and share resources across the network.
For third-party firewall requirements, you can explore options like iptables or firewalld, which are built-in firewall solutions for Linux distributions. Alternatively, you can consider using other third-party software specifically designed for Linux firewalls.
Zabbix is a widely used monitoring solution that can help you track the health and performance of your network infrastructure, including servers and workstations. It can provide valuable insights and alerts for proactive maintenance.
Regarding a mail server, there are several options available for Linux, such as Postfix and Exim. These servers can handle email communication within your organization.
Transitioning to Linux requires careful planning and consideration of the specific needs of your organization. Ensure software compatibility, set up a Linux server as a domain controller, explore firewall solutions, consider implementing monitoring with Zabbix, and choose a suitable mail server.
Are you sure you want to jump into the world of Linux without a solid understanding of its complexities? Debian is a great distribution, but it's not a plug-and-play solution. You'll need to invest time and resources into learning the ins and outs of Linux administration, including scripting, troubleshooting, and security.
You'll need to consider compatibility issues with your existing software and hardware, not to mention the potential disruption to your users.