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Reddit’s r_k12sysadmin Credits: @r_channels @reddit2telegram
Dell 3120 2in1 chromebook LCD source question
Anyone using these have a good source for the LCD that isn't super expensive? I can't seem to find from Alibaba or Ebay like I used to. Ag parts has them but they are 100 a piece. They are hard to find since there is a latitude 3120 too. The one time I found some on amazon the camera hole was slightly off so the camera wouldnt work. Any good sources?
https://redd.it/1qk94la
@r_k12sysadmin
Digital Signage/Rise Vision
For those of you that have Digital Signage especially Rise Vision, what hardware do you use to show it? We have a bunch of dell micro pcs that work great but don't support Windows 11. I had started moving them off Windows 10 and originally installed Ubuntu LTS, but I didn't like the not being able to remotely manage them for updates. I then tried Chrome OS flex set it up perfectly on the first micro pc and it seemed like the answer to my prayers. Unfortunately the first pc was the only one i got to work with the Rise Vision app. I tried 3 more micro PC, installed chrome os flex, setup kiosk mode with the Rise Vision app, app opens and just spins. I contacted Rise Vision support, their dev team looked into it and said Chrome OS flex doesn't work with the Rise Vision Progressive Web App like it does for regular Chrome OS.
Anyone have any ideas on why it worked for one pc but not the others? I'd really like to get it working with chrome os flex and have one less portal to manage devices in.
Alternatively do you have any suggestions for remotely managing Ubuntu updates preferably for free.
https://redd.it/1qk70bp
@r_k12sysadmin
Can not access speaker notes in Slides
The line at the bottom you pull up is not there. If you refresh the page it shows up for 2 seconds so if you are fast you can pull it up.
Anyone contacted Google yet and was told about plans to fix it.
https://redd.it/1qjwdbt
@r_k12sysadmin
Apple Classroom
Alright
Our teachers love to use Apple Classroom to monitor/manage their student's iPads on the fly. I agree, I think it's a super cool and useful tool... when it works.
We have found that it is extremely unreliable most of the time. There's always at least 1 student iPad (and up to all of them) that either don't show the ability to join a class, or never re-connect after joining.
It is incredibly frustrating. Has anyone else experienced this? Did you find a reliable fix? We're at a loss. I don't think it's network related, as it does work for some. We have separate Staff and Student WLANs, each with their own VLAN. Any combination of connection to both of these WLANs doesn't fix the issue.
The best advice we've been able to give teachers is to make sure their iPad and the student iPads are on the latest (same) version of iOS. This does work sometimes, but as you all probably know, this isn't exactly feasible, especially between minor versions.
https://redd.it/1qiyhea
@r_k12sysadmin
iPad 4 month lock?
I'm running into an issue here. We have 25,000 students in 40 buildings, k-5 uses iPads, 6-12 uses chromebooks. We have a 4 month test window of all different state tests that need to be taken throughout the district.
I'm being asked to disable all updates, iOS and Apps. We have Mosyle as our MDM currently, and I can disable app updates in there, but even if I turn off auto updates for the iOS in 90 days it's going to force install. Being the amount of iPads we have when they all hit that 90 day mark and download the update even with our content caching servers, our wifi I'd going to crawl at best and take a huge hit.
How are other large districts handling updates? "Tell them to use them more often and leave updates on" is not an option.
I'm not only worried about the 90 days, but I'm also worried about what happens at end of testing when we turn them back on, and what happens in September when nothing installed all summer.
Another concern is will the apps still run if they are a few updates (for the app, and for the iOS) behind? I'm pretty sure the iOS is -1 so iOS 18 would be minimum (we are all at 26.2) so that should be ok, but what about microsoft apps that release all the time?
Any and all help would be appreciated. I looked at everything I could, asked everyone I know, but I'm still not sure what to do.
Currently I figured: I will lock all apps from updates, individually for students only. This will keep them from updating saving us a bit. the iOS I can postpone for 90 days but thats it. then it's forced and will probably crash the network.
Is the answer Block apps, and only update the necessary when that time comes, then disable auto install of updates, but allow manual install and ask for it to be done manually a grade at a time or so? and schedule it around what grades are testing?
https://redd.it/1qiykpa
@r_k12sysadmin
Setting up Chromebooks for the first time
OK. We’ve sent out our RFP’s for chrome books and have gotten a few of them in. I’m trying to set up one of them now and just realized I have no clue how to get things like the camera turned off or Google Play apps force installed.
Everything looks like it will work, but the camera can still be opened by a student, and the apps aren’t installing at all.
Help!
https://redd.it/1qj1mx7
@r_k12sysadmin
Dell Chromebook Cryptohome issues
Has anyone seen a rise in Cryptohome issues when students log into Dell Chromebooks? From what I've seen, the best way to resolve it is a powerwash. Anyone else have any other solutions or seeing an increase in the error?
https://redd.it/1qjayxn
@r_k12sysadmin
AristotleK12 and Savvas SSO login issue
https://redd.it/1qeu86c
@r_k12sysadmin
Is it now time to block ChatGPT in schools?
https://k12techtalkpodcast.com/e/monkeys-misinfo-and-ai-mayhem-vervets-in-st-louis/ and all major podcast platforms
The guys unpack a week of wild headlines and K12 tech policy: viral AI images that complicated a search for wild vervet monkeys in St. Louis, Denver Public Schools’ decision to block ChatGPT for students, and a preview of a Senate hearing on kids and screen time.
https://redd.it/1qej1po
@r_k12sysadmin
Automatically remove ChromeBook profiles after x days of inactivity
Hello all,
We’re running into an issue with shared Chromebooks in areas like the Music department where many different users sign in. Over time, the local storage fills up due to accumulated user profiles, and we end up having to manually Powerwash the devices every 2–3 months.
We’re looking for a way to automate this process. While we know Powerwash actions can be triggered from Google Admin Console, we’re hoping there’s a more automated or policy-based solution.
On Windows devices, we use the GPO “Delete user profiles older than a specified number of days on system restart,” which works well in shared lab environments. Is there an equivalent policy in Google Admin Console for Chromebooks that automatically removes inactive local user profiles after a set period of time?
I did come across Ephemeral mode, but that’s more aggressive than what we want, since it removes profiles at every sign-out.
Any guidance or best practices would be appreciated.
Thanks!
https://redd.it/1qdysqb
@r_k12sysadmin
Anyone know how to get the OUID in google admin for a OU?
I've been trying to figure this out today without success. I need it for a DRC for testing. I got everything setup and tried the "unset" otion, but when opening the app(kiosk) on the chromebook it wants me to assign Device to Org Unit.
direction I found online say to "navigate to Directory > Organizational units, select the specific OU, and its path/ID details will be visible in the settings or URL"
However, the path/ID does not show. Nothing does. I haven't been able to find a way to view it. I should have full admin rights. I haven't had any issues in google admin. Not sure what I can do to get this OUID.
Any ideas would be apprecaited. Thanks!
https://redd.it/1qdu7df
@r_k12sysadmin
Chrome Application Phase-Out, still got some questions
Hey everyone!
I'm sure you've all seen the banner about chrome app support ending in 2026. When I pull up my list, however, I see Google Classroom, Drive, Docs, Camera, Calculator, etc. These are all Google Applications, not anything I installed on these devices.
What will happen to these following the migration in 2026? Does google have plans to release updated version of these apps? Has anyone talked with Google about this preemptively, so I don't have to sit in a 2 hour chat with them?
https://redd.it/1qdpcjw
@r_k12sysadmin
Google Admin Console Extension "Friendly" Naming
Hey all, when you get to extensions and see awlrighioawrghoawoihawg as an extension, how are you keeping track of what it actually is?
We have about 8 loaded like this for students, and I am resorting to using Allowed Hosts with the name:
https://extension-name.extension
Like so:
https://preview.redd.it/he02d87jxidg1.png?width=553&format=png&auto=webp&s=898f951c6dba21d278de66319cb5671be07939e4
Do you all know a better way (besides a spreadsheet to reference)?
https://redd.it/1qdkzs5
@r_k12sysadmin
What student chromebooks are ya'll looking at?
Probably about that time of year. While we still haven't quite hopped on that train of buying chromebooks yearly to cycle in we are looking at buying a small batch partially for afterschool, partially to test as we are looking to move to cycle in batches yearly. So what are ya'll looking at for options? We haven't had to great of an experience with Samsung (4) and HP (HP 11MK G9) chromebooks ourselves. Though the later could have been exasperated by the clip on cases we were using (issues with hinge cover and extra pressure on hinge screws separating from top cover).
Tentatively we're eyeballing 8 GB of RAM full stop but I'm also curious if moving to DDR5 speeds up what little capacity 4GB has to be acceptable. Just trying to futureproof in case we have to start adding in more extensions or what Aluminum OS will require.
Have MediaTek processors/wifi chips come into their own? I seem to recall the last time we bought chromebooks a few years ago MediaTek was still having some teething issues, especially on their wifi chips.
Also curious about how repairing screens with all these models that are coming with touchscreens now. Seems like most in the 8GB RAM range are touchscreens.
https://redd.it/1qd2egp
@r_k12sysadmin
Chrome OS Flex Devices Policies Not Applying
Guest mode is enabled on devices along with sign in restrictions removed even though everything is correct in GAC/OU. Genuine Chrome OS devices policy's are applied fine.
Anyone ever run into this? What am I doing wrong?
Edit: Apparently this is some sort of TPM issue even though it is affecting different models of managed Flex devices.
Anyone have a fix for this? I'm a one man shop that could use the help! Already re-enrolled a few devices and still have the same issue.
https://redd.it/1qcuryj
@r_k12sysadmin
Microsoft is down and making everyone miserable, again
https://www.tomsguide.com/news/live/microsoft-down-live-updates-outage-jan-22-26
https://redd.it/1qk84iy
@r_k12sysadmin
anyone else annoyed at apple?
# iPad 11th gen missing serial from back. If the LCD is busted, and it shows up without us knowing which student it was assigned to, how are we supposed to identify a non-responsive iPad for warranty repair/replacement
https://redd.it/1qk2g5n
@r_k12sysadmin
Vasion Print/PrinterLogic and PaperCut
Hey all. I wanted to see who else has been using Vasion Print and how things have been going for you, as well as ask about Papercut and how that compares? I know it's pretty difficult to compare each solution because there are some vast differences. We currently have Vasion print deployed in our environment and have had fairly minimal issues, but there are some small ticks that I know would be a huge improvement if we swapped over to Papercut and brought everything on prem. We utilize the Print release queues for Vasion and the biggest gripe from teachers is that the job won't pull if their machine goes to sleep/lid gets closed/etc. That goes away with a papercut server.
We just started really diving into print management and so I'm trying to figure out the best solution for our teachers. Thank you in advance for any help and info you have!
https://redd.it/1qj3wxc
@r_k12sysadmin
Google Cloud Console primer for Workspace for Education admins... help?
I have a teacher/coordinator in our district asking to be able to enable Vertex AI API keys to a Firebase service account on a GCP project they created forever ago.
She's the project owner and the only change I've made to GCP recently was in the admin console where I disabled the ability to create new GCP projects. I'm kind of surprise she can't? The Support agent in GW support says that change shouldn't have changed anything related to API key generation.
There are so many red flags to me on this staff member's project but I don't actually know exactly what I am looking to know the full extent of concern.
My 2 biggest red flags are:
1. She has made her personal gmail account an owner of the project
2. The project has incurred a billing cost (albeit under a dollar).
Does our Workspace domain incur this cost if no billing account is setup for the project? Is having an external owner inherently insecure?
The project appears to have legitimate educational use, but the request has rubbed me the wrong way.
Is there a general direction I can look to start understanding this stuff from the Google administrator perspective? Any tips?
https://redd.it/1qj5erh
@r_k12sysadmin
E-Rate for Internet
I got thrown into doing e-rate this year after our long time network admin that took care of this quit.
We had to bid out internet, WAN and equipment this year. I’ve been here about 10 years and we’ve always had AT&T for internet.
I don’t know how the previous guy got AT&T every year if their pricing is the same as it was this year. They have a 12 month price at like $15,000/month; then a 24 month price at $1,500/month
Our consultant said I had to bid it based on the 12 month rate. That puts it as we are going to be $15,000 out of pocket and the super won’t go for that.
3 bids were thrown out for not bidding the speed we needed/would be funded for. That only left 1 other company, but I don’t have a problem with them either.
https://redd.it/1qipbvg
@r_k12sysadmin
Self service password manager?
I've found some older threads, but what are people using for a self-service password manager?
We're a smaller K-12 district (Active Directory and Google), and have been using Quest/OneIdentity, but we're finding that it appears to step all over Google's MFA with newly-created accounts. (After the new staff person "registers" their account in OneIdentity, Google doesn't treat it as a new account with prompts for setting up their MFA. Google treats them as if their MFA has already been set up and demands an authorization before the new users have defined a method. This forces the us to manually disable MFA for that user in Google Admin so that they can get their MFA method(s) chosen).
Quest/OneIdentity are guessing maybe it's the AD attribute they use for storing the encrypted security question data that's conflicting with Google's MFA data, but Quest's suggestions for solving the issue (e.g., using a different AD attribute) haven't worked and have caused other problems, and they're not interested in helping any further.
So we're in the market for an affordable, web-based self service password manager that can work with AD and Google. Thoughts?
Thanks in advance...
https://redd.it/1qj40f1
@r_k12sysadmin
Earbuds in bulk
Looking to buy wired earbuds in bulk. Amazon preferred.
Not actual headphones, just earbuds that I can give out to any student that asks. I've looked at some of the reviews on Amazon and most of the no-name Chinese brands seem pretty flimsy.
I have some that I got cheap and they are horrible. Students that use them take 3 sets at a time and then come back in a week for more. If you breathe on them wrong, they fall apart.
So looking for that thin line between cheap and somewhat durable.
Prefer 100 pack. 25 or 50 packs would also be fine.
https://redd.it/1qjcxz6
@r_k12sysadmin
Concurrent Students Unable to take Lockdown Browser Tests
Hey all,
We have several concurrent students that are taking courses at different colleges and have run into a new issue. The college is requiring the use of Respondus Lockdown Browser for some of their tests. The students are getting errors saying their is a profile error when they attempt to take the test on their school Chromebooks, but not on a personal device. Has anyone else experienced something like this? I'm starting to wonder if it could be our content filter extension causing issues, but really having a hard time narrowing it down when we can't hardly test it either.
https://redd.it/1qeny5u
@r_k12sysadmin
Server pricing and alternatives
This isn't a complaint as we're all in the same boat and I see posts about this stuff all the time. Not trying to preach to the choir. I know the cost of everything has been on the rise and RAM prices aren't helping. But I'm wondering how it's affecting the pricing you all are seeing for servers. We run on-prem Hyper-V clusters. We've done so since Hyper-V was a thing. We've had various clusters over the years. Home built server/SAN, HP C7000s, Dell Azure Stack S2D for the past several years. About four years ago we purchased our current production cluster at our primary datacenter. Dell servers. Hyperconverged. Hate that name, but that's what it is. Servers with onboard storage running Storage Spaces Direct. That cluster has 8 nodes with 200TB of usable storage (triple mirrored so 600 TB raw), and 6.5 TB usable RAM. It was $275k for the hardware and 5 years of support. We're downsizing considerably as we've moved many workloads off our on-prem clusters and don't need as much storage or memory. Just got a quote from the same VAR for the same type of solution that we put in 4 years ago. Dell S2D. But this time we asked for 4 nodes, 100 TB usable storage, and 3 TB usable memory. It was over $600k.
Here's the part that's not adding up to me. We asked Dell for a second quote. Server/SAN. Similar compute. Same amount of memory, but without the onboard storage. Those servers came out over $125k less per server than the ones with storage. We haven't been given line item quotes that show the cost of components and we're working with our VAR to get some clarification on all this, but the cost for the storage seems high, especially with our discounts. I think even retail I could populate the servers with ~75 TB of NVMEs each for like $75k tops. Feels like their quote is like $200k too high. Forget RAM. Storage seems to be the killer.
Admittedly, I haven't been in the market for servers for 4 years. Am I just out of touch and the cost has risen that much? I get inflation and tarrifs and all that. I just didn't expect half a cluster to cost more than twice as much. This doesn't include any licensing. It's just hardware and support.
Also, what is everyone else doing for on-prem servers/storage these days?
https://redd.it/1qe8sa3
@r_k12sysadmin
1:1 Device Billing Struggles
Hi All,
I'm having a tough time with technology billing for damages and lost items. Part of it is connected to policy that needs to be improved. However, the other part of it is tracking other related billing tasks.
I have been asked to keep track of what dates I sent communications to families about the bills. I have also been asked to track which methods of communication I used (Email, physical mail, phone call, text, etc.) I'd also like to track the date which I presented overdue bills to building admin, as well as what their action / plan was. I'd also like to keep track of what type of tech restrictions have been placed on the student device until the bill is paid.
I'd love to do this in our helpdesk, inventory, and billing software, but unfortunately ours is far from robust. I basically just have the ability to set an amount owed, a description, and a due date. I don't even have bulk invoice updating tools.
Is there an education / IT specific tool that can do what I'm describing? Or in order to get features like this will I need something like QuickBooks? OR is there an example Google Sheet that I can use as a template for tracking this stuff in conjuection with a basic billing solution?
I started working on my own sheet, but I've come up with a lot of questions about how I would manage it over time. Maybe I will just keep working with my AI overlord to help me out?
https://redd.it/1qduxd6
@r_k12sysadmin
Google Drive Trust Rules
Our district is looking into setting up trust rules for the district and want to see what everyone recommends the best way to implement this?
Are you shutting off the default rules to block everything and start only opening up what you need? Or are you going with the default rules and blocking the student OUs you know you want to change?
https://redd.it/1qdrk5u
@r_k12sysadmin
Looking for a Tablet to replace iPads
We currently have iPads in grades 1 and 2. I was looking to see if there was a Google Tablet that would be a good replacement for an iPad. Is anyone using a Google Tablet? My main concern is being able to have testing app on it like. NWEA testing but they only seem to have a chrome os app. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
https://redd.it/1qdkz6q
@r_k12sysadmin
Google workspace paid or free
How would you try to explain to upper management that we need to stick to our paid Google workspace and not move to the free Google workspace? Looking for thoughts and ideas.
Thanks in advance.
https://redd.it/1qd9qnq
@r_k12sysadmin
Red Rover with School ERP Pro
Does anyone here use Red Rover with Infinite Vision’s School ERP Pro? If so, what is the process like for getting RR’s data (i.e. absence balances) into ERP? We’ve seen/heard different answers. Thank you!
https://redd.it/1qd0s4c
@r_k12sysadmin
Youtube Bot Error
Recently, we started having this issue on our campus where Youtube videos that are embedded in a slide show, like Canva, will get a "Sign in to confirm you are not a bot" error. The teachers affected are signed into their school accounts fully on the devices and we still get the error. Now if we use a personal Gmail account then their is no error. Also, if we use a hotspot, the error is not there either. I am thinking YT has linked our IP address to bot "stuff". The only thing that changed was over winter break we installed a new gateway, but our IP stayed the same. Anyone have any ideas? An IP change would be a last resort option.
https://redd.it/1qcvnfe
@r_k12sysadmin
