mainConfigutils - Summary

 
 
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Id: 8990
System Name: configutils
Name: Configutils
Group Type: non-GNU software and documentation

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Introduction

Server configuration management is a relatively simple task, yet it requires exacting attention to detail, and often widespread repetition. Examples of exacting attention to detail include things like Bind configuration, where a single full-stop at the end of a line radically changes the meaning of that line.

In short, configuration management is an ideal task for a computer to manage, and a very poor one for a human to need to perform. This project will introduce a semi-automatic configuration management system which is fully transparent to and controllable by the administrators. Configurations will be built parameterized templates, allowing for error-prone or awkward syntaxes to be abstracted away, and for configuration expertise to be saved in a machine-readable format for re-use by all. A standard set of recipes will allow for consistent, and simple base configurations, as well as allowing services to be grouped logically for deployment by administrators.

The introduction of a centralised configuration repository will also allow for new members of the team to be brought up to speed quickly by presenting a high-level logical view of configuration and providing a machine-searchable pool of low-level configuration files. This ability to examine every server in a single action and to make global changes will also facilitate large-scale configuration changes.

This project is based on configuration management software tool chain written at Oxford University Computing Services and presented at the 5th System Administration and Network Engineering Conference in 2006.
Project Goals

This project aims to:

    * Introduce the concept of a centralised configuration repository.
    * Introduce a system for recipe-driven templated configuration file generation.
    * Provide a simple, highly secure, and highly efficient means of configuration distribution.
    * Provide a simple and highly secure configuration installation and activation system.
    * Establish systems and procedures for configuration deployment.

Meeting these aims will support:

    * Easy, fast, and consistent configuration of all new servers.
    * Reduction in the number of serious errors in configuration.
    * Easy analysis of a server's role and configuration.
    * Pre-install review and checking of configuration files.
    * Configuration modification tracking, including changes made, date, rationale, and author.
    * Server upgrades.
    * Service clustering and service migration.
    * Automation of large-scale configuration changes.
    * Disaster recovery via mechanised configuration restoration.
    * Disaster recovery via centralised storage of configurations which are accurate to the minute.


Registration Date: Wed 20 Dec 2006 01:13:07 AM UTC
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
Development Status: 3 - Alpha

 

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