Implementing Linux support and monitoring in a workplace

Abstract

The goal of the thesis was to improve the condition of Linux support, monitoring and automation in a workplace. The endpoint enrollment was investigated, alongside how software distribution could be made more straightforward. After preliminary planning, the automation aspect of the project was agreed to be handled by Ansible. The IT organization would provide Ansible playbooks, which the end users could run themselves, depending on the configuration they want installed. The playbooks could provide easy-to-use solutions for the end users, and could automate processes such as installing printer queues, installing developer tools (version control, integrated development environments, text editors), and installing analytics tools. The playbooks are open-source inside the company, so anyone can make pull requests on the code if they find it necessary to improve it.

Monitoring Linux endpoints is necessary to the company after a preliminary ISO27001 certification. This was achieved by a combination of different software solutions, which all depended on the endpoints running Osquery.

The project was successful, and the same platforms and tools were later taken into use for Windows and Mac devices as well. The project generated a lot of value in the form of information for the company.