Tru64 UNIX Sharing Software on a Local Area Network

This document, "Tru64 UNIX Sharing Software on a Local Area Network" (Version 5.1B, September 2002), describes two key services for managing software on a network: Remote Installation Services (RIS) and Dataless Management Services (DMS).

1. Remote Installation Services (RIS):

   • Purpose: Enables the installation of software kits across a local area network (LAN) from a central RIS server to registered RIS clients, eliminating the need for locally mounted distribution media (like CD-ROMs).
   • Mechanism: The RIS server stores software kits in designated "RIS areas" and provides read-only access to clients via Network File System (NFS). Clients boot over the network using BOOTP and TFTP protocols.
   • Features: Supports various hardware platforms and software versions, and allows for installation cloning (duplicating system installations or configurations using profile sets containing Configuration Description Files (CDFs) and user-supplied files).
   • Management: The ris utility is used to set up RIS servers, manage RIS areas, and register/modify/remove RIS clients.

2. Dataless Management Services (DMS):

   • Purpose: Allows client systems to share the /usr file system from a centrally administered DMS server over a network, while each client maintains its own distinct root (/) and /var file systems on the DMS server. This significantly reduces disk space requirements on individual client systems.
   • Mechanism: The DMS server stores the operating system software in "DMS areas," including customized root areas for each client and a shared, read-only /usr area, all accessed by clients over NFS. Clients perform swapping and dumping on their local disks.
   • Limitations: DMS is explicitly not supported in a cluster environment, and the bootp protocol it uses is not secure.
   • Management: The dmu utility is used to manage DMS environments and clients.

Both RIS and DMS aim to simplify software administration, reduce hardware and software costs, and centralize the management of operating system resources across a LAN. The manual also covers server preparation, disk space planning, client registration, and troubleshooting for both services, and introduces the utilupdate utility for maintaining compatibility between server and client utilities.