Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FreeIPA VS Ubuntu Server

Compare FreeIPA VS Ubuntu Server and see what are their differences

FreeIPA logo FreeIPA

FreeIPA is an integrated security information management solution combining Linux (Fedora), 389...

Ubuntu Server logo Ubuntu Server

Secure, fast and economically scalable, Ubuntu helps you make the most of your infrastructure. Whether you want to deploy a cloud or a web farm, Ubuntu Server supports the most popular hardware and software.
  • FreeIPA Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-29
  • Ubuntu Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03

FreeIPA features and specs

  • Open Source
    FreeIPA is open source, allowing users to inspect, modify, and enhance the source code to fit their specific needs without any licensing fees.
  • Integration
    It provides a seamless integration with various enterprise-level services like LDAP, Kerberos, DNS, and more, making it a comprehensive identity management solution.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    FreeIPA offers a web-based interface which simplifies management tasks and reduces the learning curve for new users.
  • Strong Security Features
    It includes robust security measures such as centralized authentication, access control policies, and automated certificate management, enhancing overall security.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Users have access to a wide array of documentation and community support which helps in troubleshooting and learning the system.

Possible disadvantages of FreeIPA

  • Complexity
    The installation and configuration process can be complex and daunting for users unfamiliar with its components and architecture.
  • Scalability Limitations
    FreeIPA may encounter performance issues or limitations when scaling to very large environments, thus it might not be ideal for very large organizations without additional configuration or resources.
  • Linux-Centric
    FreeIPA is primarily designed for Linux environments, and while it can integrate with Windows, the setup and functionality may be limited or require additional effort.
  • Community-Based Support
    While there is community support, it may not be as robust or responsive as professional paid support services offered by other IAM solutions.
  • Learning Curve
    Users may face a steep learning curve due to the composite nature of FreeIPA, which integrates multiple technologies such as Kerberos, LDAP, and DNS.

Ubuntu Server features and specs

  • Open Source
    Ubuntu Server is open source, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This can lead to cost savings and flexibility for custom deployments.
  • Strong Community Support
    It has a large and active community that offers extensive support, documentation, and a wealth of forums and tutorials to solve issues or gain more information.
  • Robust Security
    Ubuntu Server provides strong security features, including regular updates and patches, security advisories, and the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) for easier network protection.
  • Compatibility
    Ubuntu Server is compatible with most major hardware and virtualization platforms, making it easier to implement in various environments.
  • Regular Releases
    Canonically delivers both Long Term Support (LTS) and interim releases, keeping the server up-to-date with the latest features and enhancements.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu Server

  • Complexity for Beginners
    Linux-based systems, like Ubuntu Server, can be more complex and challenging for users who are unfamiliar with command-line interfaces or system administration tasks.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    While there is a community, direct commercial support is not as extensive as more traditional OS vendors unless you opt for premium services from Canonical.
  • Software Compatibility
    Not all proprietary software is available for Linux systems, which may require alternatives or additional compatibility layers.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Some hardware might not have drivers available for Linux, potentially leading to additional configurations or incompatibility.
  • Resource Intensive for Newer Releases
    While generally efficient, newer releases can sometimes demand increased resources, potentially affecting performance on older hardware.

FreeIPA videos

An Overview of FreeIPA

More videos:

  • Review - Identity Management with FreeIPA
  • Review - Identity management in Red Hat Enterprise Linux - FreeIPA OTP
  • Review - FreeIPA - Part 2 - Server and Client Install and Setup. An open source Active Directory alternative
  • Review - FreeIPA Part 4 - Installing NextCloud & Docker to use with LDAP through FreeIPA for Authentication.
  • Tutorial - freeIPA on Proxmox VE 7 Home Lab Tutorial

Ubuntu Server videos

Differences: Ubuntu Desktop vs. Ubuntu Server

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeIPA and Ubuntu Server)
Identity And Access Management
Cloud Computing
62 62%
38% 38
Cloud Storage
44 44%
56% 56
Identity Provider
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FreeIPA and Ubuntu Server

FreeIPA Reviews

We have no reviews of FreeIPA yet.
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Ubuntu Server Reviews

13 Best XAMPP Alternatives
Ubuntu Server is a version of Ubuntu that’s ready to run right out of the box. Unlike other operating systems, Ubuntu isn’t meant to be installed on your computer and left alone. Instead, it was designed to be a server, meaning it’s ready for someone who knows how servers work—and how they’re different from your home computer—to set up and use immediately.
Source: thetechtian.com
Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
In some aspects, the Ubuntu Server edition is just as popular as the desktop version. Ubuntu produces both LTS and non-LTS releases of the server just as with the desktop.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Ubuntu Server seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FreeIPA mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FreeIPA yet. Tracking of FreeIPA recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Ubuntu Server mentions (3)

  • IoT in September: a recap
    [ASUS IoT](https://iot.asus.com/) is a provider of embedded systems and AIoT hardware solutions. Notable among those is their [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) device, an edge computer featuring an i.MX 8M scalable SoC processor for low power consumption. The [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) is the first NXP i.MX8 Canonical... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Your Old Laptop Is Your New Database Server
    It looked like a good candidate for an always-available server; a machine that I could connect to at any time and install any kind of server software that I could need when developing apps. In times of Docker containers, configuring a machine to run server software is extremely easy. In this article, I’ll show you how to take advantage of that old laptop by installing Ubuntu Server, Docker, and a MariaDB database... - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
  • Hosting Multiple ASP.NET Core Apps in Ubuntu Linux Server Using Apache
    ASP.NET Core is a cross-platform web development framework that supports developing applications on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms. Hosting an ASP.NET Core application in Linux is complicated when compared to hosting one in Windows. In this article, I will explain how to easily host multiple ASP.NET Core apps in Ubuntu Linux server with Apache as a reverse proxy server. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeIPA and Ubuntu Server, you can also consider the following products

Keycloak - Open Source Identity and Access Management for modern Applications and Services.

Zentyal - Linux directory, domain, mail, gateway and infrastructure server for SMBs.

OpenMediaVault - OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.

OpenLDAP - OpenLDAP Software is an open source implementation of the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.

NethServer - NethServer is an operating system for Linux enthusiasts, designed for small offices and medium...

Samba - Samba serves as an open source alternative to the traditional domain controller offered by Microsoft.