Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 16:22:03 -0800 From: Matt Olander <matt@offmyserver.com> To: jon.drews@gmail.com Cc: freebsd-advocacy@freebsd.org Subject: Re: How to deploy FreeBSD desktops ? Message-ID: <20041227162203.B12645@knight.ixsystems.net> In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.43.0412271359450.2696-100000@pilchuck.reedmedia.net>; from reed@reedmedia.net on Mon, Dec 27, 2004 at 02:05:33PM -0800 References: <8cb27cbf04122708111005f3eb@mail.gmail.com> <Pine.LNX.4.43.0412271359450.2696-100000@pilchuck.reedmedia.net>
next in thread | previous in thread | raw e-mail | index | archive | help
On Mon, Dec 27, 2004 at 02:05:33PM -0800, Jeremy C. Reed wrote: > On Mon, 27 Dec 2004, Jon Drews wrote: > > > Can anyone give me advice on how I should go about deploying and > > maintaining FreeBSD desktops, in a company setting? I know how to do > > it for my own FreeBSD desktop but how would I manage 30 to 50 > > simultaneous installs? Also what would be an effective way to track > > ports so that I don't inadvertently portupgrade to an unstable > > version of software? Would I set aside one computer for tracking > > ports? That is, suppose I have Gnome 2.6.2 in use but I want to > > evaluate 2.8.0. How should I test it? Superficially, it would seem a > > simple thing but how can I be sure that my use of 2.8.0 replicates > > what be normal usage, throughout the company? > > Any pointers or advice would be appreciated. > > You may want to use Pkgsrc (maintained by NetBSD) under FreeBSD. Pkgsrc > works fine on FreeBSD. Although it doesn't support as many packages, it > does offer some features that may help you: > > - stable pkgsrc branch that is branched every 3 months. It only contains > crucial package and infrastructure fixes and security updates, so you > don't have to worry about upgrades breaking stuff. > > - pkgviews is an experimental way to install software to their own > directory hierarchies. It is similar to depot, arch and other > symlink-based packaging systems. Using pkgsrc (or pre-built packages), you > can install different versions of the same packages for evaluation and > easier upgrades. > > Of course, using a different computer for tracking Ports, testing and > building packages is a good way too. pkgsrc is a great idea. you may also want to consider a diskless setup too. just google for that and numerous articles come up: http://www.the-labs.com/FreeBSD/Diskless/ Colin's FreeBSD Update would be a good solution for something like this too. binary updates for FreeBSD: http://www.daemonology.net/freebsd-update/ cheers, -matt -- Matt Olander (408)943-4100 Phone (408)943-4101 Fax www.offmyserver.com -- "Those who don't read have no advantage over those who can't" -Mark Twain
Want to link to this message? Use this URL: <https://mail-archive.FreeBSD.org/cgi/mid.cgi?20041227162203.B12645>