Overview

apt-dater provides an ncurses interface for managing package updates of multiple hosts.

One master host needs access via ssh to each managed node. Each managed host contains a simple perl-based agent (apt-dater-host).

cron-apt is a good companion for apt-dater - it sends mail notification for pending package updates.

Setup

Master host

1. aptitude install apt-dater

2. create a config file listing all managed nodes (.config/apt-dater/hosts.conf):

   [foo-group]
   Hosts=localhost;foo;bar;baz

Managed hosts

1. aptitude install --without-recommends apt-dater-host

   • sudo is part of apt-dater-host recommendations - probably you do not need it

Operation

1. run apt-dater on the master host

2. the program automatically connects to all listed managed hosts (see config file above) - see the status bar at the bottom of the screen

3. wait until the list In refresh is empty

4. hosts are now grouped according to their status

5. verify the hosts below unknown: press e for further information about their failure (see the bar at the top of the screen)

6. go through the details of the hosts to be updated (Updates pending)

7. run the updates via u for each host

   • you can also update a list of hosts: their progress can be comfortably tracked via screen - just choose one host below Sessions and attach via a (use CTRL-a d to detach afterwards)

apt-dater also helps to keep your hosts' packages in a clean state: all orphaned packages (no longer available in current package sources) are marked with x. Use aptitude or similar tools for cleaning up the mess.