Managing 100+ Linux workstations across six computer laboratories presents unique challenges compared to Windows environments. Where Symantec Ghost provided centralized image management for Windows XP/7 systems, Linux requires a different toolchain approach that integrates with existing LDAP authentication while maintaining:

• Automated OS provisioning
• Configuration consistency
• Package management at scale
• User home directory handling

Based on real-world deployments at MIT and Stanford computer labs, this stack has proven effective:

# Sample Ansible inventory for lab deployment
[lab1]
lab1-[01:20].university.edu

[lab2]
lab2-[01:20].university.edu

[all:vars]
ansible_user=deploy-admin
ansible_ssh_private_key_file=~/.ssh/deploy_key

Replace Ghost with Linux-native imaging tools:

# Example FAI configuration snippet
FAI_DEBOOTSTRAP="bullseye"
FAI_ROOTPW='$5$rounds=...' 
CLASS_DEFAULT=LINUX,LAB_COMPUTERS,LDAP_CLIENT

# Package selection
PACKAGES install 
task-lxde-desktop
ldap-utils
openssh-server

Maintain consistency across all machines:

---
# lab_configuration.yml
- hosts: all
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Configure LDAP authentication
      template:
        src: templates/ldap.conf.j2
        dest: /etc/ldap.conf

    - name: Deploy lab software packages
      apt:
        name: "{{ item }}"
        state: latest
        update_cache: yes
      loop:
        - gcc
        - python3-dev
        - julia
        - r-base

For your existing LDAP infrastructure:

# /etc/nsswitch.conf configuration
passwd: files ldap
group: files ldap
shadow: files ldap

Scheduled maintenance without manual intervention:

# /etc/cron-apt/action.d/5-update
dist-upgrade -y -o APT::Get::Show-Upgraded=true
autoremove -y

Keep tabs on all workstations:

define host {
    use         generic-host
    host_name   lab1-01
    alias       Computer 1 in Lab 1
    address     192.168.1.101
    hostgroups  linux-servers,lab-machines
}

Managing heterogeneous computer labs with 100+ machines presents unique scaling challenges. The existing Windows-based Symantec Ghost solution provides:

• Centralized image deployment
• Bulk configuration management
• Scheduled maintenance windows
• LDAP authentication integration

The closest Linux equivalents to your Ghost workflow would be:

# Example Clonezilla server setup
sudo apt-get install clonezilla drbl partimage
sudo /opt/drbl/sbin/drblsrv -i
sudo /opt/drbl/sbin/drblpush -i

For more granular control, consider these open-source tools:

Enterprise-grade solutions for Linux labs:

# Ansible playbook example for lab maintenance
- hosts: lab-machines
  become: yes
  tasks:
    - name: Apply security updates
      apt:
        update_cache: yes
        upgrade: dist
        autoremove: yes

Your existing LDAP infrastructure can be leveraged with:

# /etc/sssd/sssd.conf example
[domain/example.edu]
id_provider = ldap
auth_provider = ldap
ldap_uri = ldap://ldap.example.edu
ldap_search_base = dc=example,dc=edu
cache_credentials = True

Suggested workflow transition:

1. Pilot phase with 5 machines per lab
2. Gradual image standardization
3. Scheduled maintenance windows

Essential tools for lab upkeep:

# Cockpit web console installation
sudo apt install cockpit
sudo systemctl enable --now cockpit.socket