Towards a High-Level Machine Configuration System
Paul Anderson
University of Edinburgh
Abstract
This paper presents a machine configuration system which stores all
configuration parameters in a central ``database''. The system is
dynamic in the sense that machines reconfigure themselves to reflect
any changes in the database whenever they are rebooted. The use of a
central database allows configurations to be validated, and correct
configurations to be automatically generated from policy rules and
high-level descriptions of the network. A permanent record of every
machine configuration is always available and the system is extensible
to handle configuration of new subsystems in a modular way. The paper
includes a review of previously published work and common techniques
for cloning and configuring workstations.
Download the full text of this paper in
ASCII (31,109 bytes) and
POSTSCRIPT (92,137 bytes) form.
To Become a USENIX Member, please see our
Membership Information.