[Samba] software deployment

[Denis Cardon]

Hi Mourik,
>
> Just wondering: What are you guys using to deploy software on your
> windows (7) workstations within the samba4 AD?
>
> These are options I know of:
>
> * wpkg (but it seems it's development is not too active)
> * wpkg-gp using the group policies
> * www.opsi.org (Client Management System for Windows clients)
> * standard windows software deployment, but I think that's msi-only

I have used/tested all the above (and many others) in the past and 
finaly I ended up re-developping an apt-get equivalent for handling 
software deployment on windows (yes I know the NIH syndrom :-). The 
result is Wapt-get (http://dev.tranquil.it/wiki/Wapt , warning French 
only) licenced with gplv3.

If you are familiar with .deb packaging, you should feel at home. 
Wapt-get is based on:

* an http repository with Packages index
* an agent installed on workstation with your certificate for package 
validation and installation
* a package is a plain zip file (simpler than an "ar" of tarxz) with 
signature (apk style) that is checked before installation, a control 
file with package name, version and dependencies, and a setup.py file 
that is executed during installation.
* a standard language (python) is used to script a setup.py file how the 
package is installed (ie. you won't have to learn an extra cryptic xml 
based scripting language :-). The shortest setup.py file is :

def install():
     run("firefox-setup.exe /s")

I use it currently on about 5000+ workstation and it scales properly (my 
largest single install is about 1000 workstations on a single wapt 
server VM).

If you are eager to test it, I would advise you to start with the 
windows based wapt server which is easier to install, and then go with 
the linux server which scales better. Your feedback is welcome! If there 
is enough interest I'll translate the whole stuff in English earlier, it 
is on the roadmap.

Hope this helps.

Denis


>
> This page also has al lot interesting reading:
> http://www.klaus-hartnegg.de/gpo/
>
> However, I'm looking for some praktical tips or experiences. What are
> you using, do you like it? Would you recommend it?
>
> The samba wiki also has a page on this subject:
> https://wiki.samba.org/index.php/Software_deployment_on_Samba
> but it only talks about wpkg, and history tells me it dates from 2006....
>
> I could perhaps update that page with the outcome of this thread.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Mourik Jan


-- 
Denis Cardon
Tranquil IT Systems
Les Espaces Jules Verne, bâtiment A
12 avenue Jules Verne
44230 Saint Sébastien sur Loire
tel : +33 (0) 2.40.97.57.55
http://www.tranquil-it-systems.fr