{"id":13543,"date":"2018-03-20T18:00:45","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T00:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jumpcloud.com\/?p=13543"},"modified":"2024-11-14T19:39:38","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T00:39:38","slug":"group-policy-objects-gpos-for-linux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/group-policy-objects-gpos-for-linux","title":{"rendered":"Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for Linux\u00ae"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for Linux\u00ae would be <\/span>a dream come true<\/span><\/a> for IT admins. Unfortunately, GPOs are a unique feature of the Microsoft\u00ae<\/span> Active Directory\u00ae<\/span><\/a> (AD) platform that only works for Windows\u00ae based systems. The good news is that a next generation cloud directory services platform has emerged that has expanded the concept of group based policy management to support cross-platform system environments (i.e., Linux, Mac\u00ae, Windows). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, before we dive into the benefits of a <\/span>GPO-like feature for Linux<\/span><\/a>, we should discuss the significance of traditional GPOs from a high level. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Group Policy in Active Directory?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Group Policy is the term for Microsoft\u2019s concept of group based policy management for Windows systems. Group Policy Objects, or <\/span>GPOs<\/span><\/a> for short, are essentially the expression of this concept. GPOs are effectively formal commands, templated scripts, and task execution guidelines that can be used to manage Windows system behaviors. One of the greatest advantages that GPOs can provide is the ability to manage Windows system groups en masse. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GPOs were one of the key reasons why AD became so popular. Of course, it didn\u2019t hurt that Windows systems and applications were already dominating the IT market when AD was introduced in 1999. Nevertheless, it was <\/span>a brilliant move for Microsoft<\/span><\/a> to build Windows system management capabilities into their directory service. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge with GPOs, as previously noted, is <\/span>they only work for Windows systems<\/span><\/a> out-of-the-box. This issue has persisted, despite the growing popularity of <\/span>Linux and Mac alternatives<\/span><\/a> since the turn of the century. After nearly twenty years, it\u2019s safe to assume that Microsoft isn\u2019t interested in providing support for competing platforms \u2013 but where does that leave modern IT admins?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Active Directory GPO Alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Well, if you\u2019re an IT admin, then you are likely well aware that <\/span>third party add-on solutions<\/span><\/a> exist that can provide GPO-like capabilities for Linux systems (Macs too). You also probably know that third party add-ons are <\/span>expensive<\/span><\/a>, and often still require an <\/span>on-prem AD implementation<\/span><\/a> to operate. If this sounds familiar, then we don\u2019t need to tell you this approach is far from ideal \u2013 especially as the world shifts to non-Windows platforms. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, Linux machines have largely taken over for Windows servers as the most popular data center platform. This trend will likely continue, at least into the near future. Of course, therein lies the challenge for IT admins. In other words, how do you securely manage fleets of Linux systems with GPO-like capabilities? Simple \u2013 leverage JumpCloud<\/span>\u00ae<\/span> Directory-as-a-Service<\/span>\u00ae<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GPOs for Linux, Mac, and Windows from the Cloud<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n
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JumpCloud Directory-as-a-Service is <\/span>Active Directory and LDAP reimagined<\/span><\/a> for modern IT networks. Cross-platform system management is a core aspect of the JumpCloud platform, which enables IT admins to manage disparate systems with GPO-like capabilities. These are called <\/span>JumpCloud Policies<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JumpCloud Policies are essentially next generation GPOs. While they are still prescribed commands, scripts, and task execution templates, the distinguishing factor is that JumpCloud Policies work for cross-platform system environments <\/span>including Linux, Mac, and Windows<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another advantage is inherent to the JumpCloud platform itself. JumpCloud Directory-as-a-Service was borne from the cloud and is tailored for modern IT networks. This can include on-prem or cloud-based <\/span>systems, applications, files, and networks<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The end result is that IT admins are empowered to choose the best IT resources for the organization, regardless of platform, provider, protocol, or location, and they\u2019re all controlled from one <\/span>centralized management platform in the cloud<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn More About Group Policy Objects for Linux<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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