[ubuntu-za] automatic software updates

[Morgan Collett]

On Wed, May 13, 2009 at 09:55, Charl Wentzel
<charl.wentzel at vodamail.co.za> wrote:
> Yes you may... it's because the hardware is supplied with Linux
> pre-installed.  They have spent a lot of time and effort to supply the
> units as such with detailed manuals... and all.  Have a look for
> yourself: http://www.moxa.com/product/Embedded_Computers.htm
>
> Knowing the effort required to create such a small distribution with the
> selection of software they have pre-installed (Apache, MySQL, PHP, SSH,
> its an endless list), this is one of the reasons why I use these
> devices.  The even supply everything you need for cross-compiling to the
> platform.

I didn't see much detail on that site about the software. The thing
is, package management is a necessary step first before distribution.
Apt and dpkg are used for managing everything on the machine, so they
know about what's on the machine. I don't see how you could manage
only part of the machine - presuming you only want to update your own
software you deployed and not the OS and Apache etc. To manage the OS
you would need to install an OS with package management built in...

To manage your own software you could consider using a version control
system instead like bzr, where the machines have content/code checked
out from a particular repository which you would use for updates.

Regards
Morgan

> It saves me an enourmous amount of time and allows me to focus on my
> software without worrying about managing the distribution.
>
> Charl
>
> On Wed, 2009-05-13 at 09:15 +0200, Mark Stockton wrote:
>> can i ask why you havn't used debian or ubuntu as the base?
>>
>> ---------- Original Message -----------
>> From: Charl Wentzel <charl.wentzel at vodamail.co.za>
>> To: Ubuntu SA Local Community <ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com>
>> Sent: Wed, 13 May 2009 09:08:41 +0200
>> Subject: [ubuntu-za] automatic software updates
>>
>> > Hi Guys
>> >
>> > I just need a "kick" in the right direction here.
>> >
>> > I'm developing software for Embedded Linux Devices.  I would like to
>> > incorporate an automatic update system, similar to that which Ubuntu
>> > does.  In fact I would like to use an Ubuntu Server as the update
>> > server.
>> >
>> > The snag is that the embedded devices are not Unbuntu based and have
>> > very limited distribution.  So what ever I need to do on the embedded
>> > devices I would probably have to write it myself or adapt and
>> > cross-compile something existing.
>> >
>> > I don't want to re-invent the wheel.  Any ideas on what where I
>> > should start my research?  Would using apt be a good option?
>> >
>> > Regards
>> > Charl
>> >
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>> ------- End of Original Message -------
>>
>
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