Comments on: Ubuntu for Business: The Missing Pieces http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/ Channel News, Reseller News and Channel Partner Programs Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:59:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Schwartz http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117168 Schwartz Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:36:57 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117168 OpenLDAP + Samba + Postfix + Dovecote Sounds complex! Well, it is, but possible. I'm collecting best practices for this integration. Working configuration can be done in couple of hours by inexperienced Linux user with straight-forward howto. Like dovecot-postfix package it can be automated, but this is not a highest priority issue. What is really needed IMHO(whithout any order): 1) standard simple layout of ldap schema classes for users of mixed environment(posixAccount + sambaSamAccount + inetOrgPerson = some attrs are duplicated and confusing) 2) domain services specs should be stored someware in ldap tree like SMTP and IMAP servers(with defaults), then email client can be configured automatically 3) groupware thing(Zimbra looks good, but can't be deployed on top of existing ldap server) 4) simple desktop file sharing 5) some CLI/GUI for joining domain out of the box 6) Evolution sucks! I prefer Thunderbird with Lightning OpenLDAP + Samba + Postfix + Dovecote
Sounds complex! Well, it is, but possible. I’m collecting best practices for this integration. Working configuration can be done in couple of hours by inexperienced Linux user with straight-forward howto. Like dovecot-postfix package it can be automated, but this is not a highest priority issue. What is really needed IMHO(whithout any order):
1) standard simple layout of ldap schema classes for users of mixed environment(posixAccount + sambaSamAccount + inetOrgPerson = some attrs are duplicated and confusing)
2) domain services specs should be stored someware in ldap tree like SMTP and IMAP servers(with defaults), then email client can be configured automatically
3) groupware thing(Zimbra looks good, but can’t be deployed on top of existing ldap server)
4) simple desktop file sharing
5) some CLI/GUI for joining domain out of the box
6) Evolution sucks! I prefer Thunderbird with Lightning

]]> By: Svein http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117167 Svein Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:24:27 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117167 @carlos: I like ebox and I think it might be a good alternative for small businesses and advanced homes. But for larger environments you need real desktop applications for configuring the server. I really do not like to configure a server through a webinterface. It will always feel a bit strange to HAVE to sit on another computer to manage the server. I want direct access with solid applications that run on both KDE and GNOME, not tied to one of them :-) @carlos:

I like ebox and I think it might be a good alternative for small businesses and advanced homes. But for larger environments you need real desktop applications for configuring the server. I really do not like to configure a server through a webinterface. It will always feel a bit strange to HAVE to sit on another computer to manage the server. I want direct access with solid applications that run on both KDE and GNOME, not tied to one of them :-)

]]> By: Chilly Penguin http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117166 Chilly Penguin Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:16:14 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117166 @Guy, I thought so. But that doesn't come installed with Windows. You have to buy and install it separately or as part of Office. And you need Exchange to get anything more than standard IMAP/POP functionality out of it. @Guy,

I thought so. But that doesn’t come installed with Windows. You have to buy and install it separately or as part of Office.

And you need Exchange to get anything more than standard IMAP/POP functionality out of it.

]]> By: Guy Thouret http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117165 Guy Thouret Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:40:42 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117165 @Chilly Penguin: I was referring to Outlook. @Chilly Penguin:
I was referring to Outlook.

]]> By: Chilly Penguin http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117164 Chilly Penguin Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:28:07 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117164 >> and the email client doesn’t require configuration, >> just open it and there is the email. What "email client" are you talking about here? >> and the email client doesn’t require configuration,
>> just open it and there is the email.

What “email client” are you talking about here?

]]> By: carlos http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117163 carlos Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:24:39 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117163 Check eBox, it runs on top of Ubuntu and handles, OpenLDAP, users & groups integrated with e-mail, samba shares, your network and very easy to integrate DAViCal for shared calendars and is very pluggable. It's all handled through a really simple web interface. http://www.ebox-platform.com It's still a pain to setup the LDAP login from the clients and would be nice if it automatically hooked up your e-mail and calendar in Evolution automatically with that client/server setup. Not very far though and it is something thats scriptable which is what gives it an advantage to me. Check eBox, it runs on top of Ubuntu and handles, OpenLDAP, users & groups integrated with e-mail, samba shares, your network and very easy to integrate DAViCal for shared calendars and is very pluggable. It’s all handled through a really simple web interface. http://www.ebox-platform.com

It’s still a pain to setup the LDAP login from the clients and would be nice if it automatically hooked up your e-mail and calendar in Evolution automatically with that client/server setup. Not very far though and it is something thats scriptable which is what gives it an advantage to me.

]]> By: Guy Thouret http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117162 Guy Thouret Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:04:48 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117162 I just read that Jaunty Ubuntu Server will have a package that will install an integrated mail stack with default configuration. It's a step in the right direction. http://blog.init.hr/?p=3 I just read that Jaunty Ubuntu Server will have a package that will install an integrated mail stack with default configuration.

It’s a step in the right direction.

http://blog.init.hr/?p=3

]]> By: luigidk http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117161 luigidk Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:46:22 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117161 OR... You can go with a hosted solution such as ZOHO which provides all the core business functions and greatly reduces overall costs. Virtually eliminates the OS debate. Ubuntu could then be used for inexpensive desktops as the application is independent of the OS. For SMB's, it is a great direction. OR…

You can go with a hosted solution such as ZOHO which provides all the core business functions and greatly reduces overall costs. Virtually eliminates the OS debate.

Ubuntu could then be used for inexpensive desktops as the application is independent of the OS.

For SMB’s, it is a great direction.

]]> By: Ty Miles http://www.thevarguy.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/comment-page-1/#comment-117160 Ty Miles Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:49:14 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2009/03/08/ubuntu-for-business-the-missing-pieces/#comment-117160 This is what I have been saying 100 times on Ubuntu fourms etc. Ubuntu really needs to make a client server system like Windows XP and 2003 server with AD. I wish someone could track down Banyan and see if they would open source Banyan Vines. It ran on Unix, was full LDAP. Using a client like Novell does you could do file, print and email no problem with Windows and Unix clients! That is what someone like Ubuntu needs. They could really break into the office server market if they could support Linux and Windows machines. Who cares about AD. If they could make their own that could do the functions of AD and their Directory Services could scale like AD then who would need AD (It would have to be as easy as AD though) This is what I have been saying 100 times on Ubuntu fourms etc. Ubuntu really needs to make a client server system like Windows XP and 2003 server with AD.

I wish someone could track down Banyan and see if they would open source Banyan Vines. It ran on Unix, was full LDAP. Using a client like Novell does you could do file, print and email no problem with Windows and Unix clients! That is what someone like Ubuntu needs.

They could really break into the office server market if they could support Linux and Windows machines. Who cares about AD. If they could make their own that could do the functions of AD and their Directory Services could scale like AD then who would need AD (It would have to be as easy as AD though)

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