Deployment Windows clients from a Linux server with Opsi
Windows with a View
© Joy Fera, 123RF
Opsi extends Linux's convenient software distribution methods to Windows PCs on heterogeneous networks.
Corporate networks with a large number of client workstations often rely on some form of network service for installing operating systems upgrades and software updates. Installing updates on a Linux system is very easy because almost every Linux distribution comes with some form of package manager. However, the concept of package management is not as familiar to the Windows world.
Many Windows programs support automatic online updates, but everyday users often do not have sufficient privileges to complete the installation. On top of this, online updates consume a huge amount of bandwidth if, for instance, all of your clients attempt to download the latest Office update at the same time.
Several proprietary solutions offer deployment and software management services for Windows clients. Windows Active Directory has a rudimentary software deployment solution, but only for Microsoft's MSI package system. Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS, now replaced by System Center Configuration Manager), Materna DX-Union, Novell Zen for Desktops, some HP OpenView components, and IBM Tivoli offer similar features. Community projects such as WPKG [1], Unattended [2], and Unattended GUI [3] have also gotten in the game.
[...]
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.
-
Linux From Scratch Drops SysVinit Support
LFS will no longer support SysVinit.
-
LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.