* '''Launchpad Entry''': UbuntuSpec:sysadmin-framework-eval
 * '''Created''': 2007-06-04 by MathiasGug

= Summary =

This page summarizes the evaluation of system administration frameworks. It uses SysAdminFrameworkEvaluationCriteria to guide the evaluation.

'''TBD''' means To Be Defined : don't hesitate to fill the gaps ! If you add a new product, copy the existing product evaluation and modify it.

= Product evaluation =

== Ebox platform ==
[[http://ebox-platform.com/|EBox platform]]

 * Overview :
   * In which language(s) is the product written ?
     perl
   * Which other components/products/packages are needed ?
     openldap, samba, cups, openvpn
   * Which platform is targeted ?
     linux, especially debian derivatives.
   * Which license is used ?
     GPL.

 * Packaging :
   * How does upstream distributes the product ?
     Installation CD (debian package source available in SVN)
   * Does upstream provide packages ?
     Yes, for Debian stable.

 * Frontend :
   * What type of frontend is provided ? 
     * Web interface:
        * Is it possible to modify the look'n'feel of the interface ? How ?
          While not being explicitly themable, eBox emits sensible looking html, so theming it should be a matter of simply dropping in a new .css.
     * Graphical UI:
       No
     * Console UI:
       No
     * Command line script:
       No
   * How is user management handled ?
     * What type of user authentication is supported ?
       LDAP
     * Does it support access control ?
       No.

 * Backend :
   * Is there a clear separation of the backend and the frontend ? How ?
     '''TBD'''
   * Is it possible to have multiple frontend ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How does the framework handle configuration modification made by another component ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How is the configuration stored ?
     gconf
   * How are the local configuration files generated ?
     Uses a template engine :mason.

 * Other features:
   * Does the framework support multiple server management ?
     * Which protocol is used to communicate between servers ?
     A SOAP based method for managing multiple servers is in the works, but not anywhere near completion at this point.
   * Does the framework support rollback of previous configuration ?
     No
   * Is it possible to view changes between two configurations ?
     No
   * Is it possible to view which modification are going to be applied before committing them ?
     No
   * Is there an auditing system (logs which actions have been done by who) ?
     No
   * How to add a new service to the framework ?
     '''TBD'''


== Puppet ==
[[http://puppet.reductivelabs.com/|Puppet is system administration — Automated.]]

 * Overview :
   * In which language(s) is the product written ?
     ruby
   * Which other components/products/packages are needed ?
     Ex: mysql, postgresql, ldap, an xml parser.
     '''TBD'''
   * Which platform is targeted ?
     Ex: linux, debian.
     '''TBD'''
   * Which license is used ?
     Ex: GPL, BSD, Commercial.
     '''TBD'''

 * Packaging :
   * How does upstream distributes the product ?
     Ex: a tar file.
     '''TBD'''
   * Does upstream provide packages ?
     Ex: package for debian, ubuntu.
     '''TBD'''

 * Frontend :
   * What type of frontend is provided ? 
     * Web interface:
        * Is it possible to modify the look'n'feel of the interface ? How ?
          Ex: change the css file in the template directory.
          '''TBD'''
     * Graphical UI:
        * Which environment is used ?
          Ex: gnome, kde, gtk, qt, Xlib.
          '''TBD'''
     * Console UI:
        * Which environment is used ?
          Ex: ncurse.
          '''TBD'''
     * Command line script:
          Ex: bash script, perl script.
          '''TBD'''
   * How is user management handled ?
     * What type of user authentication is supported ?
       Ex: ldap, password file.
       '''TBD'''
     * Does it support access control ?
       Ex: Alice can configure service A and B. Bob can only configure B.
       '''TBD'''

 * Backend :
   * Is there a clear separation of the backend and the frontend ? How ?
     Ex: Uses a client/server model.
     '''TBD'''
   * Is it possible to have multiple frontend ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How does the framework handle configuration modification made by another component ?
     Ex: the dhcpd.conf file has been edited by hand. Will the framework overwrite it ? How will the framework react ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How is the configuration stored ?
     Ex: xml file, directly in the configuration files.
     '''TBD'''
   * How are the local configuration files generated ?
     Ex: template engine (which one).
     '''TBD'''

 * Other features:
   * Does the framework support multiple server management ?
     '''TBD'''
     * Which protocol is used to communicate between servers ?
   * Does the framework support rollback of previous configuration ?
     '''TBD'''
   * Is it possible to view changes between two configurations ?
     '''TBD'''
   * Is it possible to view which modification are going to be applied before committing them ?
     '''TBD'''
   * Is there an auditing system (logs which actions have been done by who) ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How to add a new service to the framework ?
     '''TBD'''

== gadmintools ==
[[http://85.214.17.244/gadmintools/|GADMINTOOLS]] consists of several easy to use C / GTK+ server administration tools.

 * Overview :
   * In which language(s) is the product written ?
     C
   * Which other components/products/packages are needed ?
     Ex: mysql, postgresql, ldap, an xml parser.
     '''TBD'''
   * Which platform is targeted ?
     Ex: linux, debian.
     '''TBD'''
   * Which license is used ?
     Ex: GPL, BSD, Commercial.
     '''TBD'''

 * Packaging :
   * How does upstream distributes the product ?
     Ex: a tar file.
     '''TBD'''
   * Does upstream provide packages ?
     Ex: package for debian, ubuntu.
     '''TBD'''

 * Frontend :
   * What type of frontend is provided ? 
     * Web interface:
        * Is it possible to modify the look'n'feel of the interface ? How ?
          No
     * Graphical UI:
        * Which environment is used ?
          gtk+
     * Console UI:
        * Which environment is used ?
          No
     * Command line script:
          Ex: bash script, perl script.
          '''TBD'''
   * How is user management handled ?
     * What type of user authentication is supported ?
       Ex: ldap, password file.
       '''TBD'''
     * Does it support access control ?
       Ex: Alice can configure service A and B. Bob can only configure B.
       '''TBD'''

 * Backend :
   * Is there a clear separation of the backend and the frontend ? How ?
     Ex: Uses a client/server model.
     '''TBD'''
   * Is it possible to have multiple frontend ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How does the framework handle configuration modification made by another component ?
     Ex: the dhcpd.conf file has been edited by hand. Will the framework overwrite it ? How will the framework react ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How is the configuration stored ?
     Ex: xml file, directly in the configuration files.
     '''TBD'''
   * How are the local configuration files generated ?
     Ex: template engine (which one).
     '''TBD'''

 * Other features:
   * Does the framework support multiple server management ?
     '''TBD'''
     * Which protocol is used to communicate between servers ?
   * Does the framework support rollback of previous configuration ?
     '''TBD'''
   * Is it possible to view changes between two configurations ?
     '''TBD'''
   * Is it possible to view which modification are going to be applied before committing them ?
     '''TBD'''
   * Is there an auditing system (logs which actions have been done by who) ?
     '''TBD'''
   * How to add a new service to the framework ?
     '''TBD'''

=  Discussion =

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CategorySpec