What the E!

I have been using a variety of open source and Linux tools for several years now. Created at least a dozen php/mysql/apache type applications. Currently use IPCop for my firewall, along with the Cop+ and CopFilter addons. Utilize FreeNas as my storage server and Ubuntu with rsnapshot running to backup my personnel information along with that of a couple of small businesses/non profits. I am writing this blog entry with another open source tool. We utilize Audacity to help record the sermons at church and manage the directory/membership with a piece of software called ChurchInfo.

Linux has always been advertised, or maybe more accurately stated “promoted” as the perfect tool for small business and in a number of instances it is. However, there are a few spots where Linux is a little weak. Maybe users can point out the areas where some other options are available or possibly even alternate commercial software can be used. The two areas that are a challenge are Domain Authentication/Profiles/User Management (aka MSFT Small Business Server) and RADIUS/WPA2 support.

What I have noticed is that most of these tools have a couple things in common. First, they are easy to get running, maybe not running at the peak of perfection, but you can get them installed and running pretty easily. Second, they are the compilation of a couple of other more basic open source projects or parts. PLEASE NOTE I am no way saying that the basic building block products are not essential, but for many of us the complication of using them is too great.

At the local church where I volunteer I have run into two separate, but related issues where the commercial software seems to be a better fit. We now have a network with 4 active computers and we are getting ready to add 3 or 4 more to support some children’s church activities. We have currently been using local accounts on machines (windows pc), where each users account must be replicated. It means that we have a host of issues with password sharing and data being “lost” across machines, plus we at times we have questionable users on the machines/network.

The second problem is related to the first. Without a central login/authentication solution we are unable to provide a strong method to authenticate our wireless users. Currently, two of our users are laptop users and we need secure management of the access. In addition we regularly have guest users that need temporary, but limited access to our network/the internet.

Everyone will quickly point out that I can install Samba, enable about 45 different options and be all set to go.  The problem isnt technical in terms of the possibility of meeting the required needs, but in terms of ease of setup/use.  Instead of spending many hours trying to get Samba setup to running to support both Windows and Linux clients, I can purchase Small Business Server, the centralized authentication is solved for Windows and direct support for Radius/WPA2 is in the product.  Authenticating Linux clients is a little tougher, but for this environment this isn’t an absolute requirement.

So what is the solution a single piece of software/distro which automatically sets up Samba as an Authentication Server ready to work with windows clients.  Maybe I am just missing this on all my web searches and reading, but I havent seen anything that is as simple and easy (or even close) to SBS.  Would love to use something open source or even commerical license without being forced down the SBS route.