WPKG is a Samba tool for software distribution to multiple clients.
WPKG is a powerful software deployment tool for Windows that automates the process of installing, upgrading, and removing software packages. The tool can be used to push or pull software packages, such as Service Packs, hotfixes, or program installations, from a central server – such as Samba – to multiple workstations.
WPKG operates as a service that works quietly in the background, installing new software without requiring user interaction. The tool supports a wide range of package types, including MSI, InstallShield, PackagefortheWeb, and more. It can manipulate packages using repackaging or batch scripting, and package definitions are stored in packages.xml, profile definitions in profiles.xml, and hostnames and associated profiles in hosts.xml.
Packages are software entities that can be installed and removed by running a series of command lines. The system keeps track of currently installed package versions and available versions, to determine whether to install, remove, or upgrade a package. Profiles denote a certain class of workstations, such as departments, and they can depend on other profiles, inheriting all dependent packages.
Installing WPKG involves copying the wpkg.js, packages.xml, profiles.xml, and hosts.xml files to a centralized folder on a file server. The administrator can define packages in packages.xml and profile structures in profiles.xml. Each workstation must be configured to run the wpkg.js command to update software automatically.
Logs are reported to the Windows Event Log and can be retrieved using any appropriate network tool. A WPKG web interface is available for those who do not want to edit XML files by hand.
WPKG is an essential tool for Windows administrators when running Samba on Linux, BSD, Unix, or other Unix-like systems. It bridges the gap between Windows and non-Windows platforms, making software installation, upgrades, or deployments a breeze. Once it's installed on the client's machine and its configuration is kept on a central file server, you can easily deploy software, packages, and changes to multiple Windows workstations without any manual intervention.
This release of WPKG contains various bug fixes and code cleanup, thanks to Falko Trojahn and Gordon Klimm for patches.
WPKG operates as a service that works quietly in the background, installing new software without requiring user interaction. The tool supports a wide range of package types, including MSI, InstallShield, PackagefortheWeb, and more. It can manipulate packages using repackaging or batch scripting, and package definitions are stored in packages.xml, profile definitions in profiles.xml, and hostnames and associated profiles in hosts.xml.
Packages are software entities that can be installed and removed by running a series of command lines. The system keeps track of currently installed package versions and available versions, to determine whether to install, remove, or upgrade a package. Profiles denote a certain class of workstations, such as departments, and they can depend on other profiles, inheriting all dependent packages.
Installing WPKG involves copying the wpkg.js, packages.xml, profiles.xml, and hosts.xml files to a centralized folder on a file server. The administrator can define packages in packages.xml and profile structures in profiles.xml. Each workstation must be configured to run the wpkg.js command to update software automatically.
Logs are reported to the Windows Event Log and can be retrieved using any appropriate network tool. A WPKG web interface is available for those who do not want to edit XML files by hand.
WPKG is an essential tool for Windows administrators when running Samba on Linux, BSD, Unix, or other Unix-like systems. It bridges the gap between Windows and non-Windows platforms, making software installation, upgrades, or deployments a breeze. Once it's installed on the client's machine and its configuration is kept on a central file server, you can easily deploy software, packages, and changes to multiple Windows workstations without any manual intervention.
This release of WPKG contains various bug fixes and code cleanup, thanks to Falko Trojahn and Gordon Klimm for patches.
What's New
Version 0.9.10: N/A