Installing the same programs on multiple systems

cyberpsych0sis · 2014-11-11 23:59:51

I've gotten used to installing the arch system. But I do have a slightly annoying problem that I feel should have a rather simple solution. I am usually running the same programs on all of my systems and it's a bit annoying to go through and install all of those programs:
pacman -S prog1 prog2 prog3 prog4 etc

My question:
1. Is there a way to script the installation of multiple programs?

I'm aware that I can query all my installed programs and add them to a list, and then run pacman on said list, but is there a simpler way? and will that way work with AUR programs also?

2. How do you sync all of your config files? Short of scping the files over from your older system?

3. What method do you use to get your systems setup rapidly?

*Note, this is asking for a solution to systems with different hardware.

Last edited by cyberpsych0sis (2014-11-12 00:29:54)

Kopkins · 2014-11-12 00:16:38

Clonezilla, then edit the necessary files to make the systems unique.

That's how we rolled out our linux lab upgrade when we switched to arch.

cyberpsych0sis · 2014-11-12 00:24:34

Kopkins wrote:

Clonezilla, then edit the necessary files to make the systems unique.
That's how we rolled out our linux lab upgrade when we switched to arch.

I know this will work with systems running the same hardware, but would it work on systems that do not?

karol · 2014-11-12 00:41:16

AUR packages have to compiled first, but you can share packages between machines as long as they use the same architecture.
Would a shared package cache help? I'm not sure what are you looking for, if running a script t fetch and install a bunch of packages is too much. There should be a way to broadcast a command to multiple systems at once.

Are you running dozens of servers, are you talking about a few computers in your house or ...? How often do you set up a new Arch system?

cyberpsych0sis · 2014-11-12 01:29:57

karol wrote:

AUR packages have to compiled first, but you can share packages between machines as long as they use the same architecture.
Would a shared package cache help? I'm not sure what are you looking for, if running a script t fetch and install a bunch of packages is too much. There should be a way to broadcast a command to multiple systems at once.
Are you running dozens of servers, are you talking about a few computers in your house or ...? How often do you set up a new Arch system?

Currently I've been experimenting with about 7 different machines (All running different hardware, from 64bit servers to small ARM tablets), but this number could change (Expand) with upcoming projects. I anticipate building, and tearing down multiple systems in the future, which is why I ask.

A shared package cache could be beneficial, could you elaborate?

karol · 2014-11-12 01:34:09

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ne … cman_cache

cyberpsych0sis · 2014-11-12 01:52:46

karol wrote:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ne … cman_cache

Interesting Idea, this is a great solution for installing mutliple systems at once, but my current situation means that I'll be installing systems sporadically... but this could still work...

Thanks!

Last edited by cyberpsych0sis (2014-11-12 01:53:30)

karol · 2014-11-12 02:29:27

What about https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso ?
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ar … g_packages could be used to tailor to your needs.

cyberpsych0sis · 2014-11-12 03:54:16

karol wrote:

What about https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Archiso ?
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ar … g_packages could be used to tailor to your needs.

That's it, perfect solution!
Thanks Karol.

Arch Linux

#1 2014-11-11 23:59:51

Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#2 2014-11-12 00:16:38

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#3 2014-11-12 00:24:34

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#4 2014-11-12 00:41:16

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#5 2014-11-12 01:29:57

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#6 2014-11-12 01:34:09

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#7 2014-11-12 01:52:46

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#8 2014-11-12 02:29:27

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

#9 2014-11-12 03:54:16

Re: Installing the same programs on multiple systems

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