UCS 4.4-2: Second Point Release

We’ve just published the second point release for UCS 4.4. Apart from some bug fixes and corrections, we’ve also implemented some new features and, of course, we’ve put some work into numerous apps.

Final Version of the UDM REST API

Looking back at the first point release (UCS 4.4-1 in June 2019), our REST API for the Univention Directory Manager was still in beta stadium. Good news: the interface for accessing the directory service is stable now. The API connects applications to the UCS directory service; access is granted via a web service using HTTPS, and data is exchanged JSON format. So, the REST API offers the same functionality as the udm command line tool.
For example, it simplifies the maintenance of user properties or computer objects from connected systems. Developers of applications offered in the Univention App Center also benefit from the new, standardized access because they are no longer limited to the UDM Python interface. The REST API of the Univention Directory Manager is by default activated on all UCS 4.4-2 DC Master and DC Backup instances.

Univention App Center receives Nextcloud 16

It has taken a while, as we had to make Nextcloud 16 compatible with the version of PostgreSQL (9.4) in UCS, but here it is: Nextcloud 16 is now available on the Univention App Center!

Aside from the significant improvements in Nextcloud 16, this version also delivers two much requested features: a secure LDAP connection and SAML SSO support. Both simply require the sysadmin to enable them, everything is pre-configured! Nextcloud is just the second app in the App Center supporting this easy SSO setup.

Videoconferences at Univention

In times of telecommuting they have become indispensable: videoconferences.

Anyone who frequently participates in them knows that nothing is more disturbing than distorted scraps of conversation and lagging interlocutors. A flawless transmission, however, enables employees to focus on the essential topic and exchange information about it, even in a digital environment. It adds up to a good feeling keeping control of the data when discussing internal company information or when talking to customers.

How To: Easily Evaluate and Permanently Operate Apps with Appliances

IT environments are a dynamic situation with changing problematics, requirements and needs of users. System administrators have to face these dynamics while maintaining IT operations. Therefore, they have to regularly deal with new software solutions and check whether they fit the requirements, needs and circumstances of their own IT environment. In this article, we want to show how Univention App Appliances can help with this. As pre-configured virtual images ready for immediate use with an integrated operating system, they can be used to quickly try out new software, switch it off if it fails to deliver the desired results, or, if the evaluation is successful, transfer the test solution to live operation.

UCS: How to Connect your Printers

In this article with corresponding how to film we are going to explain how to connect printers in UCS. Univention Corporate Server offers a printing system that can be implemented even in complex environments. Printers and printer groups are managed in the Univention Management Console, UMC for short. The print services are based on CUPS – that’s the Common Unix Printing System. The printer queues are managed by CUPS and UMC.
PPD files (PostScript Printer Description) describe the technical capabilities of the printers. These files contain information about the printers’ features, i.e. whether it’s a color device, whether duplex printing is possible, which paper trays are available, which resolutions and which printer command languages are supported (e.g. PCL or PostScript). UCS provides a variety of PPD files, so most printers can be accessed and configured without having to install additional drivers. If you have to set up extra PPD files, please have a look at our manual.

bitpack.io Introduces New UCS-based Solution at ImPuls e. V. Association

An outdated IT landscape, many different desktop systems with proprietary software and corresponding license costs had repeatedly confronted the administrators of the association ImPuls e. V. from Hohen Neuendorf, Brandenburg, with problems. A solution was sought that would make both setting up new workstations and maintaining already existing desktops easier. The responsible persons also desired the possibility of interconnecting all facilities while at the same time retaining full control over their data.
We, the company bitpack.io from Birkenwerder, have modernized the IT infrastructure of the association in recent months. The new systems are running since July 2019: Univention Corporate Server is the central component; furthermore Kopano, Nextcloud and OnlyOffice are being used. In this article we would like to briefly introduce you to the project.

No longer Windows exclusive: Automatic document recognition soon available for Linux Users

Users of agorum core will soon receive an update for the OCR engine*. In addition to a significant performance boost, text recognition will be also be a benefits for Linux users thanks to the Linux-compliant pillar.

agorum core is a highly flexible enterprise content management software (ECM) that allows individual configuration and customization with a wide range of agorum core plug-ins to fulfill your specific requirements. In addition to typical document management features like GDPR audit-proof (mail) archiving, ticket system, internal chats and project management tool are also included and operate on one single platform. Users can access, share and organize information within and beyond departments, therefore collaboration and transfer knowledge become barrier-free and effortless.

Easier than you may expect – How you gradually implement an IDM for larger organizations

Quick question: when an employee leaves your or your customers’ company, how many systems do you have to touch to disable all of their IT access rights? If your answer is more than one, you should think about introducing or improving an Identity Management System. An Identity Management System, in short IdM, takes care of your employees, their authentication, and the roles and privileges they have within your IT environment. However, adding an IdM is often seen as a difficult task. This does not have to be the case! Thus, let me show you how you can quickly introduce UCS as your identity management system while keeping most of your services intact.

Wekan: The Open Source Kanban Board as Alternative to Trello

screenshot-wekan-board
Whether you’re maintaining a personal TODO list, planning your holidays with family or friends, or working in a team on your next revolutionary idea – Kanban boards are a great way to organize tasks, visualize a project’s current state, and become more efficient. They also make it easy to focus and detect potential problems, i.e. bottlenecks in a project or a deadline coming closer. They bring more transparency for all team members and make it possible – if the board is managed well – to take over atasks, if a colleague is absent. And last but not least, it is hard to imagine agile and scrum based projects without them.
There are plenty of Kanban solutions out there, but if you’re looking for an Open Source alternative to Trello, Kanban Tool, Airtable, ClickUp, etc., then check out Wekan . The software is distributed under the MIT license and now available in the Univention App Center – so, it’s easy to integrate in Univention Corporate Server.