Ubuntu for Business: The Missing Pieces
In my mind, the core business functions required of a computer system are email access, word processor, spreadsheet and the ability to collaborate by having access to shared documents all within a secure framework to prevent any unauthorised access or malicious activity.
A Windows Server/Desktop solution is the only one I know of that can currently satisfy these functions out of the box. (Apart from the word processor and spreadsheet functions that would require Office or Open Office on every machine). Everything is extremely well integrated. User management is in one place, a user account with an email address can be set up with one click. A client machine need only be added to the domain and any user can log in on that machine and be presented with their own desktop and the email client doesn’t require configuration, just open it and there is the email. It is this ease of deployment and close integration that have made Windows the success that it is.
How Does Ubuntu Compare?
Ubuntu can satisfy some of those needs, it comes with OpenOffice, so you have word processor and spreadsheet applications. It is easy to set-up shared folders on Ubuntu Server Edition and access these on Ubuntu Desktop Edition so you have the collaboration.
The only functionality missing is an email server linked to a centralised user authentication system. This is possible to set this up on Ubuntu Server but it’s not easy. You would first need to install and configure some kind of directory service for authentication, be it LDAP, NIS or whichever had the best documentation/tutorial you could find. Then, you need to install an MTA (mail transfer agent) to handle mail delivery and configure this to work with your authentication system. Then, install a POP3/IMAP server and configure this to work with your authentication system and mailbox type. The entire installation takes a lot of time, knowledge and effort.
For the first timer, simply trying to choose which packages to use can be confusing enough. Even a seasoned Linux user can find configuring all the components so that they work together as a whole a complete nightmare.
Frustrating Times?
For most people, the fact that Ubuntu Server Edition does not perform what they may perceive as essential functions out of the box is enough for Ubuntu to be dismissed as a possible solution straight away.
Still, the Windows solution isn’t perfect. IT managers are tired of testing and applying Windows security patches. And they’re tired of patches and security scans degrading system performance until everything comes to a grinding halt. The people who keep those systems running are starting to look for an alternative. With a little work, Ubuntu Server can become this solution.
Canonical has already identified the need for a Directory Services strategy. If Ubuntu Server gains integrated directory and email services, at last businesses will have a viable alternative to Microsoft that meets their needs. My bet that solutions would be a runaway success.
Contributing blogger Guy Thouret is a software engineer for a wireless energy management system company. He has used various GNU/Linux distributions since 2002.
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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)
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.
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
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.
>> and the email client doesn’t require configuration,
>> just open it and there is the email.
What “email client” are you talking about here?
@Chilly Penguin:
I was referring to Outlook.
@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.
@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
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