Remote deployment tools?,

[|tera|]

I've been searching on and off for remote software deployment tools.

I'd prefer something free that works inline with most commercial offerings. For instance, a good GUI, no or minimal scripts/coding requirement.

For Windows systems.

What do you use?

 

[Asha'man X]

Hey Tera

Are you looking for Windows deployment, or rather software and package deployment? If it's just software, take a look at WPKG, it looks like it is a great piece of software. I haven't yet had a chance to use it but it's always worth investigating.

I would always prefer to use free software where possible, although I'm going to train myself to use some Microsoft offerings.

Good luck and hope it helps.

 

[|tera|]

Hey Asha

I saw that app yesterday. Only problem I have with it is the fact that it needs to install an "agent" on each workstation, which is a bit sucky if you ask me. I'm looking for software and package deployment, basically a one size fits all solution.

I'd like to be able to install IE on any PC on the domain, or if I feel like it tomorrow, uninstall all the UltraVNC installations and install the latest update with it.

I've googled a bit and I've found a few, but like WPKG, most of these programs require quite advanced scripting and I'm really not a coder, not even html, it completely makes my head turn

Thanks for the reply though, didn't mean to shoot it down, but I'm very picky

 

[Random717]

WPKG is painful to use. While trying to set it up I stumbled on Beyondexec and haven't looked back since.
Most installers can be run silently if you have the right command line switch (google is your BFF), and Beyond gives you a remote shell with admin rights (one registry setting needs to be enabled to allow this), so with enough patience you can do just about anything. It also allows you to pass a batch file to the host, which is great for updating multiple computers.
Everything needs to be tested first though, so if you go this route you'll get very familiar with Virtualbox and log files. And if this fails, or you might even prefer this instead, you could use Autoit to create installers.
Yes I know you're not into coding/scripting, but there is no better way to get Windows to do exactly what you want...

 

[Asha'man X]

I understand how you feel Tera. Often enough I come across something that appears on the surface to be the magic tool, but all to often documetation is poor or it requires some advanced scripting. I'm going to try using WPKG in a Virtualbox mini lab, see if I can figure it out.

I don't offhand know of any free packages that will do what you want, it really seems to be a world where all the best things cost cash. You could deply software using Group Policy, since you are on a domain, but the standard Windows facility isn't all that wonderful.

Hope you find something that's worth it though.

 

[|tera|]

Thanks Random and Asha'man.

It's really not an understatement if I say I can't code. I truly can't and that won't change soon.

I've tested a few non free applications, but it seems this area of administration hasn't been perfected as I thought it would. The MS solutions seem to be the most preferred (rightly so, since they know how everything works more than others). I just don't think we can justify the cost though.

I'll search more when I've got the patience.

Thanks again.

 

[AvOk]

Thanks Random and Asha'man.

It's really not an understatement if I say I can't code. I truly can't and that won't change soon.

I've tested a few non free applications, but it seems this area of administration hasn't been perfected as I thought it would. The MS solutions seem to be the most preferred (rightly so, since they know how everything works more than others). I just don't think we can justify the cost though.

I'll search more when I've got the patience.

Thanks again.

I don;'t think you will find something, but if you do, I would love to test it!

We use SCCM in our environment, it works really well but is a pain to get going in the beginning. It does PIX booting, WSUS, package deployment etc.

It has a lot of downsides to it, but we get it as part of our Enterprise agreemant with MS, so no point spending money on something else. It requires and agent, like most of the software I have seen.

Good Luck

 

[ghalied]

what is it you would like to deploy, anything specific as there is no one tool that is going to fit your needs unfortunately ?

 

[|tera|]

what is it you would like to deploy, anything specific as there is no one tool that is going to fit your needs unfortunately ?

Most if not all programs will be MSI packages that need to be "pushed" to certain clients, such as ultravnc etc.

I would love to have the functionality to remotely install/uninstall software that is currently loaded, for instance an UVNC updated release etc.

UVNC is just an example, but mostly we will be adding applications/suites as our company expands etc.