Radmind
Encyclopedia
Radmind is a suite of Unix
command-line tools and an application server
designed to remotely administer the file system
s of multiple client machines.
For Mac OS X
, there is a graphical user interface
called Radmind Assistant, as well as a GUI
for the Radmind server called Radmind Server Manager.
, the registry) and reversing the changes. Radmind stores filesystem specifications in text files called transcripts, signified with a .T extension. Transcripts are referenced from command files, signified with a .K extension, which specify which transcripts (and with what precedence) should be applied to a client machine's filesystem.
Radmind is developed by the Research Systems Unix Group
at the University of Michigan
.
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
command-line tools and an application server
Application server
An application server is a software framework that provides an environment in which applications can run, no matter what the applications are or what they do...
designed to remotely administer the file system
File system
A file system is a means to organize data expected to be retained after a program terminates by providing procedures to store, retrieve and update data, as well as manage the available space on the device which contain it. A file system organizes data in an efficient manner and is tuned to the...
s of multiple client machines.
For Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, there is a graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
called Radmind Assistant, as well as a GUI
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
for the Radmind server called Radmind Server Manager.
How Radmind Works
Radmind operates as a tripwire, detecting changes in a client's filesystem (and, in the case of Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, the registry) and reversing the changes. Radmind stores filesystem specifications in text files called transcripts, signified with a .T extension. Transcripts are referenced from command files, signified with a .K extension, which specify which transcripts (and with what precedence) should be applied to a client machine's filesystem.
Suite of tools
The radmind suite of tools comprises- ktcheck, which updates the locally-stored command files and transcripts to match those on the server.
- fsdiff, which checks the client filesystem against the transcripts on the local system without using network bandwidth.
- lapply, which updates the client filesystem to match the transcripts, downloading files as needed.
- lcreate, which uploads new transcripts to the server.
- lcksum, which verifies uploaded transcripts.
- lfdiff, which compares local files with copies on Radmind server.
- lmerge, which combines transcripts on the server.
- ra.sh , which automates the update process using ktcheck, fsdiff, and lapply.
- twhich, which returns which transcript(s) a file is referenced in.
- applefile, which allows Radmind to work with AppleSingle files.
Radmind is developed by the Research Systems Unix Group
Research Systems Unix Group
The Research Systems Unix Group was a workgroup within the University of Michigan Computing Environment - Operations of the Information Technology Central Services at the University of Michigan....
at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
.