ChromeOS-Administrator Questions and Answers

ChromeOS offers different release channels with varying levels of stability and feature availability:

Stable: The most stable and widely used channel, suitable for general deployment.

Beta: Contains newer features and improvements, but with some potential for instability. Ideal for testing in a controlled environment.

Dev: More frequent updates with experimental features, less stable than Beta.

Canary: The least stable channel, updated daily with bleeding-edge features.

To test new features while maintaining reasonable stability, the Beta channel is the recommended choice.

When deploying video conferencing equipment using ChromeOS devices, the primary consideration is choosing a form factor (device type) that caters to both remote and on-site workers. This ensures flexibility and consistent user experience regardless of location.

Option A is incorrect because while instructional guides are helpful, they are a secondary concern to device suitability.

Option C is incorrect because security patch timing is important but not the initial consideration when choosing devices.

Option D is incorrect because while specifications matter, they should align with the chosen form factor and user needs.

When considering a hardware refresh with ChromeOS devices, organizational-level objectives should focus on the strategic advantages that ChromeOS brings to the business:

Advanced Security: ChromeOS is known for its robust security features, including sandboxing, verified boot, automatic updates, and data encryption. These can significantly reduce the risk of malware infections and data breaches.

Flexible Access: ChromeOS devices support cloud-based applications and services, enabling employees to work from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility enhances productivity and collaboration.

Simplified Orchestration: ChromeOS devices are centrally managed through the Google Admin console, simplifying device deployment, configuration, and updates. This reduces IT overhead and streamlines device management processes.

Option A is relevant but not a primary organizational objective. While partner collaboration can be beneficial, the focus should be on how ChromeOS directly improves the organization's operations.

Option B is incorrect because verifying the terms of the Chrome Online Agreement is a legal requirement, not a strategic objective.

Option D is relevant but not as impactful as the other objectives. While a rollout plan is necessary, the focus should be on the long-term benefits of ChromeOS for the organization.

References:

Chrome Enterprise overview: https://chromeenterprise.google/

Single sign-on (SSO): This allows users to sign in to their Chrome OS device using their organizational credentials. This is particularly useful in enterprise or educational settings where users already have an existing account.

Facebook Connect: This allows users to sign in to their Chrome OS device using their Facebook credentials. This can be convenient for users who are already logged into Facebook on another device.

Options A and C are incorrect:

SMS code sent to mobile phone: This is not a standard sign-in method for Chrome OS devices.

Google Friend Connect: This was a social networking service that has been discontinued.

Update rollout plans in the Google Admin console allow administrators to gradually roll out ChromeOS updates to a subset of devices first. This allows for testing in a controlled environment before deploying to the entire fleet, reducing the risk of unexpected issues impacting all devices.

Steps to add an update rollout plan:

Access Google Admin Console: Sign in with your administrator credentials.

Navigate to Device Management: Go to Devices > Chrome > Settings > Updates.

Create Rollout Plan: Click on "Add an update rollout plan."

Select Devices: Choose the specific devices or organizational units (OUs) to include in the initial rollout.

Set Timeline: Define the start and end dates for the rollout.

Save and Apply: Save the plan and apply it to the selected devices.

Device State: Before you can enroll a ChromeOS device into an enterprise environment, it's crucial that it's not associated with any personal Google accounts. Existing consumer accounts can interfere with the enrollment process and the application of enterprise policies.

Data Backup (Optional): If the existing consumer accounts on the device contain important data, advise the users to back up their information before proceeding.

Account Removal: Sign in to the device with each consumer account and remove the account from the device. This ensures a clean slate for the enterprise enrollment process.

Powerwash (Optional): While not strictly necessary after removing accounts, performing a powerwash (factory reset) is a recommended step. It further erases any remaining data or configurations linked to the consumer accounts, ensuring a completely fresh start for the device.

Enrollment: Once the consumer accounts are removed (and optionally, after powerwashing), follow the standard enterprise enrollment steps for your organization. This typically involves entering enterprise credentials at the login screen, or using a unique enrollment token, depending on your company's setup.

References:

Enroll ChromeOS devices: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/1360534?hl=en

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on enrolling ChromeOS devices into an enterprise environment, including details on prerequisites and different enrollment methods.

This setting is specifically designed to prevent Chrome OS devices from sleeping or shutting down when they are not actively being used, but are on the sign-in screen. This is ideal for public environments like libraries where the devices are meant to be accessible at all times.

Other options are incorrect because:

B: This setting controls wake locks, which are used to keep a device awake under certain conditions. It doesn't directly control sleep behavior on the sign-in screen.

C: This setting controls how users can turn off the device, but doesn't prevent the device from sleeping on its own.

D: This setting controls the maximum length of a guest session, but doesn't affect the device's sleep behavior on the sign-in screen.

References:

https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/3523633

This is the most efficient method as it applies the setting to all devices within the organizational unit (OU) through a single policy change in the Admin console.

The other options are less efficient:

Corporate policy: Relies on user compliance and is difficult to enforce.

Chrome Remote Desktop: Requires manual intervention for each device.

Custom app: Adds complexity and potential security risks.

References:

Set up Chrome browser on managed devices: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/3523633?hl=en

Blocking all network traffic to Google services would prevent ChromeOS devices from communicating with Google servers. This would lead to several issues:

Login failures: ChromeOS devices require access to Google services for user authentication and login.

Sync failures: ChromeOS relies on Google services to sync user data, settings, and policies.

Policy updates not received: ChromeOS devices fetch policy updates from Google servers, so blocking access would prevent them from getting updates.

Why other options are less likely:

A. New devices enrolled: While enrolling new devices might cause some temporary network congestion, it wouldn't typically block all communication with Google services.

C. Root CA expiration: This would affect secure connections to websites, but not necessarily prevent all communication with Google services.

D. Expired licenses: Expired licenses would restrict access to some features but wouldn't prevent basic login and sync functionality.

Disabling a ChromeOS device in the Admin console prevents it from booting up or being used, effectively rendering it inoperable. However, it retains the device's association with the organization, allowing administrators to track its location and manage it remotely if recovered.

The other options are not as suitable:

Tagging as stolen: Doesn't prevent device usage.

Powerwash: Removes all data and enrollment, making management impossible.

Deprovision: Removes device association, making management impossible.

Verified Access requires a Chrome extension to communicate with the Verified Access API. While Google doesn't directly provide this extension, it offers detailed documentation and resources through the Verified Access API. Independent software vendors (ISVs) can use these resources to develop and provide compatible extensions.

Option A is incorrect because Google Play Store is for Android apps, not Chrome extensions.

Option C is incorrect because while ISVs might offer extensions, it's not the sole source. Google's documentation is essential.

Option D is incorrect because API keys are for authentication, not the extension itself.

Granular Control: It allows you to select the specific permissions needed for the Help Desk administrators. This ensures they can do their job without having excessive access that could be misused.

Flexibility: You can easily adjust the permissions later if the Help Desk's responsibilities change.

Auditing: The Google Admin console tracks changes made by each role, making it easier to identify the source of any unauthorized actions.

How to Create a Custom Admin Role:

Go to the Google Admin console.

Navigate to Admin roles.

Click Create new role.

Give the role a descriptive name (e.g., "Help Desk Support").

Carefully select the privileges the Help Desk needs (e.g., reset passwords, manage user accounts, view device information).

Assign the role to the Help Desk administrators.

Why Other Options Are Less Ideal:

A. Service Desk Group: Groups are primarily for organization and don't provide granular permission control.

C. Services Admin Role: This role has broader permissions than what a Help Desk typically needs, violating the PoLP.

D. Full Access: This grants excessive privileges and significantly increases the risk of accidental or intentional misuse.

To grant interns read-only access to ChromeOS device information without management or update capabilities, you should:

Create Custom Role: In the Google Admin console, navigate to "Device management" -> "Chrome management" -> "User settings" -> "Roles."

Assign Telemetry API Role: Within the custom role, assign the "Telemetry API" role. This allows interns to view device information collected through the API but not make changes.

Exclude Other Roles: Ensure no other roles are assigned that grant management or update permissions.

Option A is incorrect because it involves service admin roles, which typically have broader administrative access.

Option C is incorrect because the "Settings" role might grant more permissions than intended.

Option D is incorrect because the "Manage ChromeOS devices" role grants full management capabilities, which is not suitable for interns.

References:

Chrome Browser Cloud Management API: https://developers.google.com/chrome/policy