<> = Overview = [[https://packages.debian.org/jessie/apt-dater|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 ([[https://packages.debian.org/jessie/apt-dater-host|apt-dater-host]]). [[https://packages.debian.org/jessie/cron-apt|cron-apt]] is a good companion for ''apt-dater'' - it sends mail notification for pending package updates. Optionally you may use vi-like navigation ({{{hjkl}}}) for moving around. = 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 = The following steps will ease your first run of ''apt-dater''. Later everything will feel easy and intuitive. 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'') == Update == * run the updates via ''u'' for each host * you can also update a list of hosts by pressing ''u'' for a group of hosts: * the update progress can be comfortably tracked via screen - just choose one host below ''Sessions'' and attach via ''a'' (use ''CTRL-a d'' to detach afterwards) * the result of all operations can be reviewed later == History == ''apt-dater'' keeps track of all previous operations by storing the screen logs. This is a useful feature for cooperative server administration (if used consistently). 1. press ''H'' for a host 2. choose any of the previous sessions and press ''L'' for a quick review or ''p'' for an entertaining terminal show == Cleanup == ''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 the flag ''x'' * use ''aptitude'' or similar tools for cleaning up the mess