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Reddit’s r_k12sysadmin Credits: @r_channels @reddit2telegram
Board Room Presentation Setup
I have been given the task to find a way to connect two large screen televisions in our boardroom for when people come to present at board meetings. I'm curious if anybody is doing this that allows users to present from all devices and if there is a way to do this wirelessly without having to physically connect an HDMI. I would like both screens to display the same content
https://redd.it/1kdejqj
@r_k12sysadmin
Moving from Jamf Connect to native Kerberos?
Hi all,
I'm struggling with the fact that we're at the mercy of JamfConnect's 2-week license renewal grace period being during summer break when teachers will probably have their computers offline. What this means for my users is that they will probably get back after their license has expired and when they go to log onto their computers they'll get a big message about their license having expired. Even if the device pulls down the refreshed config profile automatically and the JamfConnect app refreshes itself with the new license (BIG DOUBT), it's still a bad look for our department with something that's not our fault, it's just Jamf being unable to wrap their heads around how K12 education works -- namely that most of our fleet will be offline for nearly 3 months out of every year.
Have any of you configured the native Kerberos SSO extension to keep passwords synced with AD for local accounts? That's really all we need. Login window replacement with IdP is cool, but not necessary. I'm looking for implementation guides or resources.
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1kdaqzk
@r_k12sysadmin
Primary/Secondary Education or higher ed for Google Workspace?
I've been having a growing problem of 2FA with students in situations where they can't resolve it. The reasoning isnt that 2FA is set for them, it is because Google didn't recognize their location and challenged it. Then the students dont have a phone on them for variouse reasons.
Aparantly, our partner Trafera has a google account they use for setting up our new chromebooks before sending them ot (I am new and was unaware untill I ordored more student Chromebooks). Now they are getting the same thing and after some research and checking my settings I felt at a loss.
So I read if your school is set to higher ed it might be extra strict and when I took a look it was set to higher ed and we are a highschool. I thought I did enough research to establish that it wouldnt break anything to change this to Primary/Secondary Education. I guess I made a bad mistake becuase soon after, I started to get students at my office door. It started with not being able to get into Securly Pass and dont know if related but Apple suddenly wasn't able to sync with our google accounts. Well I don't have time to tinker, I am already overwhelmed tbh, so I just switch it back to higher ed and that resolved the issues. However Apple still can't sync and I may have to reach out to them for help.
Beyond my dumb mistake.... Should our school really be on higher ed? That seems odd? I don't know why that was set up to begin with. Maybe it doesnt matter? Or maybe I should consider changing that this summer if possible? What do you all use?
Also.. any advice on this Trafera vendor situation? you can only pause the challange for 10mins
https://redd.it/1kcyc25
@r_k12sysadmin
State testing accomodation app replacement
Hi all - as Google will be discontinuing Chrome app support in the near future (reference: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/15950395), we are seeking a replacement for the "Shiny Shiny" app. This app has been essential for providing accommodations to our special education students during state testing, allowing them to type or dictate their answers on Chromebooks without requiring Wi-Fi or auto-correct features. Have been using it for years and it was a perfect solution.
We are now trying to find alternative workflows that can achieve this same functionality on Chromebooks without relying on a Chrome app.
If you are aware of any existing workflows that could meet these specific accommodation needs, it would be awesome to hear about them. Thanks!
https://redd.it/1kcg5kb
@r_k12sysadmin
Admin wants to buy school issued laptop
I have an admin who wants to purchase their school-issued laptop from the district. Has anyone navigated this before? We are a K-12 public school in Minnesota.
https://redd.it/1kcflc2
@r_k12sysadmin
How do I disable Copilot app for students on 11 24H2?
Dumb question probably, but I feel like I'm missing something.
I'd like to remove copilot, preferably through GPO since we don't use Intune. But from what I can tell it's not working anymore in 24H2. I can remove the icon, but students are still able to launch it and run it.
Is there a way to remove it without Applocker? Or should I just remove the appxpackage on login or something?
Leave it to Microsoft to have a GPO that says "Allow Copilot" that doens't actually do anything.
https://redd.it/1kcagkx
@r_k12sysadmin
Price hikes
I know it's comes at no surprise. Is everyone starting to realize the price increases?
This is what i'm seeing so far. I been comparing orders from last year to this year.
Palo Alto 40% license renewals
Aruba Aps licenses 20% with the last month
Laptops 30% to 80% from last year
Chromebooks 30 to 50% increase
Then I read about microsoft hot patching $1.50 per core.
I just think k12 is going to get squeezed.
https://redd.it/1kbu69f
@r_k12sysadmin
CDWG Google Meet Room Licensing
Anyone else have trouble getting licensing through CDWG? Its been 3 weeks since I ordered my license and my rep continues to stonewall saying that team isn't getting back to him, and now I see that order was cancelled.
https://redd.it/1kboarx
@r_k12sysadmin
Classlink SMS MFA codes delayed?
Hi there,
This is day two of getting multiple support calls where people aren't getting their MFA code texted to them for sometimes up to 15-20 minutes after generating the request by logging in to their dashboard with the password.
My solution (and I think the better plan overall) is to move them to TOTP with Google Authenticator, but I just wasn't sure if anyone else was experiencing this or if it's just our district.
https://redd.it/1kbl31x
@r_k12sysadmin
Lost in Xibo
We setup an Xibo server and I've joined a Chromebook in Kiosk mode with the pwa, but the Xibo documentation is a little too incomplete for me. I was really hoping for at least a demo tutorial somewhere, but all I've found is explanations on each setting.
I'm working under the assumption that I don't need a license for a display on a self hosted server if it's not a certain kind of display.
I've gotten a display into a display group, set up a couple of dummy layouts and put them in a campaign, and then added the campaign into a schedule which is assigned a group. I have two schedules now: a layout and a campaign, but nothing shows up on the display (and that keeps going to sleep every couple seconds).
The display is highlighted red and shows it's downloading new files constantly. It is authorized. It's not showing a MAC address.
I'm not sure what I'm missing.
https://redd.it/1kbevrr
@r_k12sysadmin
PrimeroEdge Keypads Enter Doesn't Work?
Currently dealing with our favorite software vendor PrimeroEdge and don't seem to be getting anywhere.
Is anyone else, or has anyone else, had an issue with PrimeroEdge on iPads where a wired (or wirless) number pad will work but it won't let you hit the enter key?
This seems to be only happening with a single iPad 10th gen. The other 9th gen iPads we are using seem to be fine. You can type in a student ID just fine, but when you hit enter, nothing happens. Using the enter key on the virtual keypad works fine though.
It doesn't seem to be the keypads because you can open any other apps on the iPad (Safari, Notes, etc) and type whatever and hit enter and it works as it should.
Has anyone had this issue and manage to resolve it? Or are you currently facing this issue? Any thoughts are appreciated!
https://redd.it/1kbf36j
@r_k12sysadmin
Canon IRAdv MFP - Scan to e-mail with Gmail SMTP
For years, I’ve had a generic Google account on our domain set up for scan to e-mail on our Canon IRAdv MFPs. All of a sudden, I’m getting an SMTP AUTH error on all of the machines. The machines can connect to smtp.gmail.com, but the account I’m using won’t authenticate. We need to be able to scan to addresses inside and outside the domain. Any ideas on what could be causing this issue? It just started this morning. 2FA is not enabled on this account.
https://redd.it/1kb032m
@r_k12sysadmin
Please tell me all the reasons this is a bad idea.
TLDR; Discord voice chat to replace walkies for normal use(not in emergencies)
I work in a small private school that is extremely sprawled out, in an old building that doesn't like to let radio signals through the walls. We are getting to the point where we may need to spend money on a new set of 2-way radios. I tasked myself with coming up with an alternative just to see if I could.
Discord voice chat on mobile seems like something that can instantly replace a 2-way radio.
Why is it that I feel like it's not that easy? What are all of the reasons this is a terrible idea? I want to push it out of my mind and tell the higher ups just to get new radios.
We have fairly dense wifi coverage everywhere except outside. But adding coverage outside would be cheaper than a new set of radios.
https://redd.it/1kawfho
@r_k12sysadmin
Locking storage for microphones
In one of our A/V spaces, our microphones are left out and the kids get their hands on them. At least twice a year we're replacing $600 microphones.
I am looking for a locking storage solution for two handheld microphones, ideally in a wall-mounted form factor.
Any ideas? I was considering some type of small cabinet or wall mounted mailbox. I want something on the smaller side considering the space I have in mind.
https://redd.it/1karwbp
@r_k12sysadmin
The FTC updated COPPA - substantial changes were made
https://www.scworld.com/brief/updated-childrens-privacy-rule-unveiled
https://redd.it/1kapiyu
@r_k12sysadmin
Do Chromebook-only users need Microsoft A3 licenses?
We are working on our Microsoft EES licensing for next year and the vast majority of our teachers and other instructional staff will be moving to Chromebooks and will not be using Windows computers at all. From bits I've read, it sounds like those users would NOT be required to have an A3 license and we could save some money.
For example, this page strongly indicates the users would not need the license:
https://support.oetc.org/hc/en-us/articles/360036019012-Microsoft-How-do-I-count-the-number-of-Education-Qualified-Users-EQU-at-my-institution
The most pertinent lines include: "If an employee or contractor needs access to products or features from the M365 A3 or A5 suites to do their job, they are counted as an EQU" which is basically restating Microsoft's definition of an EQU that says "An employee or contractor (except students) who accesses or uses an Education Platform Product for the benefit of the institution."
So it *seems* we would be able to reduce our Microsoft A3 licenses by the number of staff who will now be 100% on the Google platform.
Have any other districts dealt with this? Did you come to the same conclusion and were able to reduce your licensing significantly?
Thanks for your time!
https://redd.it/1kdbfjn
@r_k12sysadmin
Cisco Meraki Multicast Setup?
Prefece: Networking is my weakest area. I know enough to do some basic troubleshooting and set up, so if this is a dumb question, please bear with me.
TL:DR - How do you set up multicast routing in a Cisco Meraki network?
I am working on trying to get things set up and ready for the summer so I can hit the ground running when school lets out. I purchased a new imaging deployment software (as we still have multiple PC labs that I need to reimage) and so far it has been working well.
The issue is that if I try to image items through the network using multicast deployment, it doesn't work. Unicast works fine, but I can't be doing just a few devices at a time.
Speaking to support for the software (which is ManageEngine OS Deployer), they said what they can see from the logs is that the network is dropping the multicast packets.
I am trying to rectify this, but for some reason I am really struggling to figure out how to set this up. Any thoughts or advice on how to do this? I have tried following their documentation but have still been unsuccessful.
Details:
- Imaging software is ManageEngine OS Deployer
- Whole network is Cisco Meraki hardware
- All PCs are in same VLAN
- Server PC has a static IP address
- Target machines are DHCP
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreicated! Thank you!
https://redd.it/1kczsno
@r_k12sysadmin
ID scanning (registry check) + Badge Printing?
We currently use VisitU (acquired by PikMyKid) to scan IDs and print badges for visitors.
We are making the switch to ParentSquare to handle CICO and implement easier packet/form signing. PS has all we need except the ability to scan IDs and print badges, which VisitU did before.
Is there any third party software or such that we can use, that isn't an entire/expensive annual subscription?
VisitU/PikMyKid cost $3500/year base price--just seeing if there are strictly ID scanning + badge printing solutions that don't necessarily need to connect to our SIS, since we want to pay for ParentSquare and just implement some smaller solution for badge printing.
Thanks for reading!
https://redd.it/1kcivpn
@r_k12sysadmin
Chromebooks with full storage...
Hi all!
I have a fleet of about 3,000 chromebooks. A LOT of them are all above like 90% full on storage.
We are 1:1 but when devices are back from repair or handed in after graduation, they are given back out.
they are so full get get super slow as well.
How can I remedy this issue? My setting is set to "do not erase local data". Its been like this for YEARS. Most state testing requires this actually.
Would mass clearing user profiles help this issue? Or should I turned on "delete local data" for like a full week, then turn it back off?
https://redd.it/1kcenpo
@r_k12sysadmin
Mediatek Wireless Cards on Chromebooks
I'm trying to get my Chromebook replacements to fit within what I budgeted, but everything's gone up significantly.
I found a model that has a Kompanio processor, which doesn't worry me too much - I've got a couple (one is my own test unit) and performance seems fine.
What does give me pause is the wireless card - a MediaTek MT7921. I've been burned before by terrible Realtek wireless cards that I had to swap out with Intel cards to make laptops usable. However, I think a lot of that was due to lousy Windows drivers so maybe less of an issue on ChromeOS? An issue like this might not be immediately apparent on my couple test units, but could show up at scale.
Just wondering if anyone has experience with this wireless card and if it's fine in Chromebooks in your environment? We use 802.1x auth and the 5 GHz band exclusively.
https://redd.it/1kcdgrx
@r_k12sysadmin
Compass Cloud and MacOS
Has anyone deployed Compass Cloud using Mosyle or JAMF so far? Certiport recommends just manually installing it, saying moving it in the script I use can cause issues, but I need a way to actually deploy this.
https://redd.it/1kc60zz
@r_k12sysadmin
Incident notification for school administration?
What are folks using to notify school administration of various outages? I use Pager Duty personally on a free account and that does fine for the actual SysAdmin needs. We have some systems where school administration need to be notified.
An example, today Charter completely took a dump and all of our VoIP is out. A few select office folks need to know that and I’d love to not be the person in the middle to have to always personally communicate status.
Email to text is practically abandoned with a lot of the cell companies. Verizon an example has a best effort and notifications may not come through for four or six hours or ever.
I’ve considered setting up a Twilio account but that seems like a heavy lift for the need.
Ideally I could go email to text as school administration understands text. A separate app with push notification seems like a road to sadness for non-technical people that I will have to babysit endlessly.
Any bright ideas?
https://redd.it/1kbrx3r
@r_k12sysadmin
Check in systems
Looking for input on new check-in system. We are on school pass but not happy with security loop holes. Any other suggestions? We do need pre badging option too.
https://redd.it/1kbo4qq
@r_k12sysadmin
Anyone else just get a Phishing email from Blocksi?
https://redd.it/1kbksc2
@r_k12sysadmin
I have the oppuritunity to give advice on a new building or updates to current building. What are standards I can advice on?
I joined last Oct. and my background is in helpdesk. As the only IT personel I am not really qualified for setting up all tech in a new building, I am confident we would outsource a lot of that. However If I have the oppuritunity to suggest changes, even to our current building, I want to take advantage of that.
My first complaints. Classrooms have TV's and they are mounted to the wall so tightly that I can not reach around. If we need them to come down, I've been advised that we would need to bring people in to help. It makes troubleshooting a major pain. I dont know if some schools have the arms on the tvs so they can pull them out? Whoever set them up really slammed cables back behind the TV and it is a mess.
Outets, Our school needs more outlets.
Ethernet drops. Honestly we are lacking and it is a constant pain. Ideally I'd think a drop in every classroom at the teachers desk, and one where the TV is. Then admin and Student Services need more then one drop. I have many spots where I end up having to run things wirelessly when I should not have too.
We also could benifit from more chromebook charger carts.
I wonder what typically things schools get wrong that I could recommend?
Our wifi is good, not too worried
I think mainly its the TV setup, ethernet access, and lack of outlets that are my biggest pains
https://redd.it/1kbhm8m
@r_k12sysadmin
This was left for me to walk into this morning…
https://redd.it/1kbe7t4
@r_k12sysadmin
Pingcastle Audits
Does anyone here have experience with using Pingcastle's paid version? I was testing out the free download and the reporting is very user friendly / useful, but I wasn't entirely sure if they had education specific pricing under their "custom" licensing plan.
https://redd.it/1kaxrju
@r_k12sysadmin
Radix Subscription for Prometheans
Hi folks, I am wondering what your thoughts are on the Radix subscription for managing Promethean boards. Promethean has a rudimentary board management tool online but Radix seems substantially better. But is it worth the cost?
Anyone with Promethean boards wanna chime in? Thanks!
https://redd.it/1kaux96
@r_k12sysadmin
USB-C ports that keep breaking and possible solution ideas
Hello,
we are having issues with our staff devices slowly falling apart, especially at the USB-C ports.
The devices we use are about 5 years old and the daily wear and tear of plugging the laptop in and unplugging it again is starting to show. The ports are becoming loose, to a point where they won't charge anymore.
Unfortunately the model of laptop we use (Lenovo L14) has the USB-C port soldered onto the motherboard and that is not a fix we can do in house. We would either have to send the board away for repair or get a new device.
We are looking at ways to help prevent failure of these ports in the future. One idea we came up with are these magnetic ports/plugs, like the one linked here to reduce the wear and tear on the port itself.
Has anyone experience with these magnetic chargers? What are some risks or issues to consider, maybe ESD?
And how do you handle failing USB-C ports? Are there any solutions we might be over looking?
https://redd.it/1kary75
@r_k12sysadmin
"Not an IT problem..."
While I understand the need to draw the line, I work in a small environment where many things become IT problems because they have buttons, they beep, or people do not know how to use them. And, yes, sometimes it is frustrating.
I am interested in exploring some of those lines that we all draw. Do you guys in IT consider that you should get involved when you see that people are not using a piece of software properly? Or one that is available and would solve a problem but is not used at all? And, since we are in education, do you get involved in trying to get educators more efficient by using tech? Who in your school makes sure that the use of tech does not trump good teaching?
In the early days of 1:1 devices and LMSs that used to be the IT department for us. Lots and lots of trainings for teachers. But as time passes, new generations seem to think that they "got this" in tech while not sure that they do, seeing the way it is used.
https://redd.it/1kap5rv
@r_k12sysadmin