A useful feature of Chrome Device Management is the ability to pre-configure networks on Chrome devices.
After logging in to your Google Admin console, go to the Device Management section.
On the column on the left side of the screen, click Networks. (Your console may say Network instead, under the Device Settings heading)
Select the Organizational Unit (OU) you wish to apply the network to. If you don’t know which OU to select, pick the top level OU to apply the settings to all devices in the console.
Click CREATE ETHERNET NETWORK.
In Platform access, check the box next to “Chromebooks (by device)”
In Details, create a name for your network. If your network requires Authentication (802.1X), you can configure the authentication credentials after selecting 802.1X under Authentication. Be sure to click Save when you’re done configuring the network.
ChromeOS Flex is an exciting new operating system for Macs, Linux devices, and PCs. ChromeOS Flex was designed to make older devices faster and more secure.
Why is ChromeOS Flex important for digital signage customers?
Many customers have older devices, or even newer devices that aren’t compatible with certain digital signage softwares. ChromeOS Flex allows these customers to enroll devices in the Google admin console, and lock them down in kiosk mode. Kiosk mode makes digital signs tamper proof and secure. Flex also allows users to control updates, and enables digital signage software to work with the operating system seamlessly.
What devices are ChromeOS Flex compatible?
Google is constantly adding to the list of ChromeOS Flex certified devices. One example is the AOPEN Ace Mini, which we recently reviewed. View the full list of ChromeOS Flex certified devices HERE. This list will indicate whether a device is certified, if minor issues are expected, or if major issues are expected.
Flex works on most Windows, Mac, and Linux devices made over the last 10 years. For every certified model the following actions are guaranteed to work:
Audio input, at least one method
Audio output, at least one method
Internal display, if present
Video output
Installation
Network—Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or both, if present
Touchpad, if present
Keyboard
Sleep and resume
System UI and graphics
USB
Webcam, if present
These actions are not guaranteed to work:
Automatic screen rotation
Bluetooth
Keyboard shortcuts and function keys, such as brightness and volume
Touchscreens
SD card slots
What about devices that aren’t on the certified models list?
Flex might work with no issues on devices that aren’t already listed as certified models, but Google can’t guarantee that it will work properly between updates.
How do you install Flex?
Installing ChromeOS Flex is simple. First, you’ll need a USB drive to create a bootable version of Flex to try before installing. Next, install Flex to replace your current operating system. Finally, add Flex to other devices with a USB drive or through network deployment.
How is ChromeOS Flex different than ChromeOS?
Security
Verified boot and Google Security Chip: ChromeOS devices have a Google security chip built in. This security chip enables devices to use verified boot, a procedure which prevents devices from booting up if they are infected. Since Flex devices don’t have a Google Security Chip built in, verified boot is not available.
Firmware Updates: Flex devices do not automatically update BIOS or UEFI firmware as ChromesOS devices do.
Virtual Machines and Apps
Google Play and Android apps: Not supported on Flex.
Virtual Machines: Flex does not support running Windows virtual machines.
Performance
Some performance factors vary by model such as: Boot Speed, Battery Life, and Power Savings
Device Management
Zero-touch Enrollment: Not supported on Flex.
Forced re-enrollment: Not supported on Flex.
Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol: Supported on Flex.
The Google Admin console allows you to force the resolution and display scale of the internal or external display output for Chrome devices. This may be useful for hardware that doesn’t properly negotiate resolution with the Chrome device. It could also be useful in certain cases where you want to use a lower resolution than what the display is capable of displaying.
After logging in to your Google Admin console, go to the Device Management section.
On the left hand side navigation menu, go to Chrome > Settings > Device to access device settings.
Select the appropriate Organizational Unit (OU) on the left hand side that you would like to apply the settings to.
Under the Device Settings tab, scroll down, or search for the Display settings heading.
Allow user changes
Allow users to overwrite predefined display settings (recommended): This allows a user to override these settings in desktop mode. Do not allow user changes for predefined display settings: This will not allow these settings to be changed by a user
External resolution
Always use native resolution: Use the auto-detected resolution Use custom resolution: Select this option if you want to force the Chromebox to output at a specified resolution for all external monitors.
This article will cover installing your Arreya Channel PWA on a Chrome OS device where that isn’t force installing the PWA by policy.
On your Chrome OS device, open the Chrome browser.
Navigate to your Arreya channel URL (https://*yourchannel*.arreya.com). You can also send your users a link sent via an email, social media, or other method instead of manual entry.
At the top right of the address bar, click the [Install +] button
The application can now be found in the application launcher accessible from the bottom taskbar. You can also right click the application icon and pin it to your taskbar.
PWA support has been supported in Chrome since version 39. Contact us to learn more about Chrome OS Device PWA.
