Recently I got in charge of managing 2 computer labs (currently 35 workstations, could double in a month or two) in university with total control over software stack as long as I install a bunch of commonly used scientific software (Mathematica and friends).

I plan to use Ubuntu for various reasons.

Installing Ubuntu and managing updates etc by hand is certainly an option, But I want to know if there is a more efficient way to do this stuff in and a more "Don't Repeat Yourself" manner?

Tasks

• Ubuntu installation


• Installation (duplication) of same software stack and configuration over each workstation


• Keeping them updated