On Thu, Feb 28, 2013 at 3:06 AM, Yasha Karant <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> After much deliberation, we have decided to deploy the licensed-for-free
> version of cfengine.  As the documentation is enormous, and none of us are
> fluent in the syntax at this point, are there any sources of cfengine
> configuration/running "scripts" (text input files) to do typical software
> distribution tasks on an automated basis?  I am not referring to something
> as dramatic as installing full OS image with disk partitioning and file
> system formatting, but rather keeping applications (e.g., Chimera, PyMol,
> SciLab, etc.) up to date without requiring a manual download and install on
> each workstation.  We plan on setting up a small dedicated cfengine server,
> albeit with sufficient disk space -- several Tbytes -- and appropriate NICs
> to handle the periodic load. This machine will be in a physically secure
> location and with some firewalling and other protective measures, albeit not
> on a physically separate hardwired LAN dedicated to this purpose.

I recommend you get a copy of "Learning cfengine 3"
(http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920022022.do). This is the
'missing' manual.

The documentation on the site is very thorough, but it all falls into
place after reading the book.

Once you understand how it works then take a look at the design center
(http://cfengine.com/cfengine-design-center) which is becoming a
central repositoriy of policies blessed by cfengine (the policies
there are tested).

Join the mailing list
(https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/help-cfengine) and start
asking questions there ;-)

Have fun!

-- 
natxo