Ubuntu Group Policy

Authentication, Group Policy, Audit and Reporting

---

Likewise Software Ports Active Directory Group Policy to Ubuntu

Likewise Enterprise lets you apply Microsoft Active Directory group policies to Ubuntu desktops and Ubuntu servers running the Gnome desktop so you can remotely and centrally control hundreds of Ubuntu preferences. The Gnome group policies for Ubuntu user and computer settings are based on the Gnome GConf project to define desktop and application preferences such as the default web browser.

Likewise Enterprise adds these Ubuntu Gnome group policies to the Group Policy Object Editor. They are easy to manage and apply because you use familiar AD tools such as the Group Policy Management Console.

Likewise prepackages the Gnome schemas for Ubuntu gnome preferences with its software. In the Group Policy Object Editor, the policies appear in Likewise's Unix and Linux User Settings folder under User Configuration or under Computer Configuration. To load the Ubuntu Gnome group policies, you merely open the Group Policy Object Editor and add them under the Gnome Configuration Settings folder.

The Growing Popularity of Ubuntu

According to an article in The New York Times, more than 10 million people are estimated to use Ubuntu today, posing a threat to Microsoft's hegemony.

In many organizations, however, Microsoft Windows and Active Directory remain ubiquitous. But as Ubuntu penetrates the enterprise and more companies find that using Ubuntu computers lowers costs but also results in a difficult-to-manage heterogeneous network, the question becomes this: How do you manage Ubuntu computers and users en masse? The answer is Likewise Enterprise's Ubuntu group policy solution.

Managing Ubuntu Applications with Group Policies

The Ubuntu gnome group policies include user and computer settings for applications like the browser, help viewer, and the drivemount applet. For example, a Ubuntu user policy can define whether the Gnome volume manager automatically mounts removable storage drives when they are inserted into a Ubuntu computer. Other Ubuntu Gnome group policies can lock down desktops or disable the command line.

There are many more Ubuntu Gnome group policies. URL handlers let you manage your Ubuntu Gnome preferences for http, https, and mailto. Group policies for peripherals let you manage Ubuntu settings for your mouse and keyboard -- including a variety of Gnome preferences for configuring the keyboard for accessibility.

In addition, you can use the Ubuntu Gnome group policies to manage the applications. You can, for instance, define a group policy object to configure the Ubuntu gconf-editor. Other Ubuntu gnome preferences give the ability to manage the clock applet, the gnome-app-install application, and bug-buddy.

The Basis for Ubuntu Group Policy: Gnome Schemas

A Gnome schema is a set of meta-information that describes a configuration setting and forms the basis for a group policy. The meta-information includes the type of value, documentation on the setting, and the factory default for the value. On target Ubuntu computers running the Gnome desktop, the schema files are stored in /etc/gconf/schemas. When you define or change a Gnome-based group policy for a Ubuntu machine, the Likewise agent on the target Ubuntu computer automatically pulls the change and modifies the schema accordingly.

Likewise Enterprise supports group policies based on Gnome schemas for the following versions of Ubuntu:

• Ubuntu Desktop 6.06
• Ubuntu Desktop 6.10
• Ubuntu Server 6.06
• Ubuntu Server 6.10
• Ubuntu Desktop 7.04
• Ubuntu Desktop 7.10
• Ubuntu Server 8.04
• Ubuntu Desktop 8.04

As an example, here is a list of the Ubuntu Gnome schemas that Likewise Enterprise includes for Ubuntu 7.04 so you can conveniently set Ubuntu group policies in the GPOE and apply them to Ubuntu desktops as group policy objects from Active Directory:

aisleriot.schemas
apps-evolution-mail-prompts-checkdefault-2.10.schemas
apps_evolution_addressbook-2.10.schemas
apps_evolution_calendar-2.10.schemas
apps_evolution_shell-2.10.schemas
apps_exchange_addressbook-2.10.schemas
apps_gnome_settings_daemon_default_editor.schemas
apps_gnome_settings_daemon_keybindings.schemas
apps_gnome_settings_daemon_screensaver.schemas
apps_nautilus_preferences.schemas

baobab.schemas
battstat.schemas
blackjack.schemas
bug-buddy.schemas
CDDB-Slave2.schemas
charpick.schemas
clock.schemas
compiz.schemas
control-center.schemas
cpufreq-applet.schemas
deskbar-applet.schemas
desktop_default_applications.schemas
desktop_gnome_accessibility_keyboard.schemas
desktop_gnome_accessibility_startup.schemas
desktop_gnome_applications_at_mobility.schemas
desktop_gnome_applications_at_visual.schemas
desktop_gnome_applications_browser.schemas
desktop_gnome_applications_help_viewer.schemas
desktop_gnome_applications_terminal.schemas
desktop_gnome_applications_window_manager.schemas
desktop_gnome_background.schemas
desktop_gnome_file_views.schemas
desktop_gnome_font_rendering.schemas
desktop_gnome_interface.schemas
desktop_gnome_lockdown.schemas
desktop_gnome_peripherals_keyboard.schemas
desktop_gnome_peripherals_keyboard_xkb.schemas
desktop_gnome_peripherals_mouse.schemas
desktop_gnome_sound.schemas
desktop_gnome_thumbnailers.schemas
desktop_gnome_typing_break.schemas
desktop_gnome_url_handlers.schemas
drivemount.schemas
ekiga.schemas
eog.schemas
evince-thumbnailer-comics.schemas
evince-thumbnailer-djvu.schemas
evince-thumbnailer-dvi.schemas
evince-thumbnailer-ps.schemas
evince-thumbnailer.schemas
evince.schemas
evolution-mail-2.10.schemas
evolution-webcal.schemas
file-roller.schemas
fish.schemas
fontilus.schemas
gaim.schemas
gcalctool.schemas
gconf-editor.schemas
gedit-file-browser.schemas
gedit.schemas
geyes.schemas
gksu.schemas
glchess.schemas
glines.schemas
gnect.schemas
gnibbles.schemas
gnobots2.schemas
gnome-app-install.schemas
gnome-audio-profiles.schemas
gnome-btdownload.schemas
gnome-cd.schemas
gnome-dictionary.schemas
gnome-keyring-manager.schemas
gnome-mount.schemas
gnome-power-manager.schemas
gnome-screensaver.schemas
gnome-screenshot.schemas
gnome-search-tool.schemas
gnome-session.schemas
gnome-sound-recorder.schemas
gnome-system-monitor.schemas
gnome-system-tools.schemas
gnome-terminal.schemas
gnome-volume-control.schemas
gnome-volume-manager.schemas
gnometris.schemas
gnomine.schemas
gnotravex.schemas
gnotski.schemas
gstreamer-0.10.schemas
gswitchit.schemas
gtali.schemas
gthumb.schemas
gwd.schemas
gweather.schemas
iagno.schemas
libgnomegames.schemas
libgnomeui-apport-gtk.schemas
logview.schemas
mahjongg.schemas
metacity.schemas
mixer.schemas
multiload.schemas
nautilus-cd-burner.schemas
netstatus.schemas
notification-daemon.schemas
nst.schemas
panel-compatibility.schemas
panel-general.schemas
panel-global.schemas
panel-object.schemas
panel-toplevel.schemas
pilot.schemas
rhythmbox.schemas
same-gnome.schemas
sound-juicer.schemas
stickynotes.schemas
system_dns_sd.schemas
system_http_proxy.schemas
system_smb.schemas
themus.schemas
tomboy.schemas
totem-handlers.schemas
totem-video-thumbnail.schemas
totem.schemas
update-manager.schemas
update-notifier.schemas
vino-server.schemas
window-list.schemas
workspace-switcher.schemas
yelp.schemas

For more information about Gnome group policies for other platforms, see our Likewise Gnome Group Policy

Group Policy for Ubuntu and Other Linux Computers

Likewise Enterprise includes more than 80 Likewise group policies that can be applied to over 115 Linux, Unix, and Mac computers, including Ubuntu Desktop Edition and Ubuntu Server Edition. Likewise Enterprise prepopulates this set of group policies, which do not require the Gnome desktop, in the Group Policy Object Editor. These policies let you manage common options such as security configurations, task settings, network settings, automatically mounted file systems, display messages, logons, authentication, and password requirements. For more information, see the following resources:

Group Policy for Linux and Unix

Group Policy for Mac OS X

Next > > Gnome Group Policy