Univention Corporate Server
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
 Overview page of the Univention Management Console, the web-based management interface of UCS | |
| Developer | Univention GmbH |
|---|---|
| Written in | Python (mainly) |
| OS family | Debian (Linux / Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Latest release | 5.0-8[1]  / 11 June 2024 |
| Update method | APT (several front-ends available) |
| Package manager | dpkg |
| Platforms | i386, AMD64 |
| License | AGPL |
| Official website | UCS |
Univention Corporate Server (UCS) is a server operating system derived from Debian with an integrated management system for the central and cross-platform administration of servers, services, clients, desktops and users as well as virtualized computers operated in UCS. In addition to the operation of local, virtual instances, UCS can also be operated in cloud environments.[2] Via the integration of the open source software Samba 4, Univention also supports the functions provided in many companies by Microsoft Active Directory for the administration of computers operated with Microsoft Windows.[3][4] UCS-based components and UCS-certified, third-party products can be installed via the Univention App Center. UCS provides all App Center applications with a runtime environment and services for the operation including a central, consistent management of the apps. Docker containers can also be run on UCS systems and several of the apps available in the App Center are Docker-based.[5]
Univention is a member of the Open Source Business Alliance and supports the creation of the Open Source Business Alliance open source software stacks.
The impulse for the development of UCS, which began in 2002, was the lack of a standardised Linux server operating system offering companies and organisations an alternative to Microsoft's domain concept with the proprietary directory service Active Directory. Comparable Linux solutions (e.g., from SUSE and Red Hat) did not offer an integrated, cross-system user and computer management system, with the result that corresponding solutions had to be configured and maintained individually.
Important early driving forces for the development of UCS were initially the Oldenburgische Landesbank and the department of the Bremen Senator for Education and Science, until the product was ready for market launch at the end of 2004. Since then, in addition to new versions, a number of software solutions based on the main product UCS have also been launched.
UCS is predominantly employed in the German-speaking world by companies and public organisations from a wide range of sectors and fields, among others by the regional government authority of the federal state Brandenburg. In 2005, Univention began to market UCS also in other German-speaking countries. Today, UCS is used in many European countries and also outside of Europe, for example, in Australia, Nigeria and the USA where Univention established a subsidiary in 2013.
Licenses and editions
UCS is open-source software; the proprietary developments of Univention GmbH included in UCS were published under the GNU GPL until Version 2.3.[6] With the launch of Version 2.4, the company switched to GNU AGPL.[7] There are also a range of software appliances based on UCS (e.g., in the groupware, desktop and IT service management fields).
Since 21 April 2015 UCS is freely available to companies in form of the UCS Core Edition, which replaced the previous "free for personal use" license. This Core Edition is a fully featured version and differs from the fee-based edition only in terms of product liability and support.