Aalto Linux

Aalto Linux login screen

Aalto Linux is provided to all schools and departments in Aalto and used on ITS classroom computers and shell servers. It is a set of Aalto customisations built on top of an Ubuntu LTS distribution. The basic core configuration is quite minimal, and the user can customise the package configuration to suit his/her needs. Some departments have built their own customisations on top of this to have a more extensive collection of software out of the box, but the core functionality is still the same. The current base distribution version is Ubuntu 22.04, with 20.04 still in support.

Classroom computers and shell servers are running a static configuration, which can be modified by ITS staff by request.

Primary goal

We aim to provide:

  • Authentication with the Aalto IT account
  • Transparent access to the shared Aalto home directory (not applicable to laptops), including backup snapshots
  • Access to work/teamwork network filesystems
  • Single sign-on to many Aalto services
  • Printing
  • Access to software licensed for Aalto
  • Access to the Aalto network and internal services
  • An up-to-date fully functional basic system with automated updates
  • The ability to install additional software from predefined software repositories
  • User support and a well-maintained, common environment

Administration

The Linux workstations are maintained by Aalto ITS and, in some schools and departments, also by department IT staff. Administrative access can be delegated to the department staff if needed. By default, normal users do not have root access to the workstations.

For administrators, we provide:

  • Fully automated PXE booted installation
  • Consistent tools across the whole of Aalto
  • A highly flexible and customisable system with a tried and true baseline configuration
  • Configuration management using existing, centralised tools and version control
  • Convenient reinstalling or switching of computers, as the workstations usually have very little local data
  • A centralised infrastructure, operated by Aalto ITS
  • Support and a network of peers in other schools and departments

I'm staff, I want one!

Please contact your department's IT system administrator or servicedesk@aalto.fi.

I'm the department IT admin and I don't know what to do!

Please check https://wiki.aalto.fi/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=72879729 and if needed, contact servicedesk@aalto.fi.