- Puppet Puppet is a declarative language for expressing system configuration, a client and server for distributing it, and a library for realizing the configuration. It's written in Ruby.
- ISConf ISconf is a framework for recording and playing back all sysadmin work done to a network of Unix machines. It uses Makefiles to execute work lists. It steps thru each state in a machine's configuration history in order to get to the current/desired state.
- ISConf 4 is decentralized, and looks like it's making good progress.
- psgconf psgconf is modular, data store independent and extensible in Perl.
- LCFGng X resource style parameters stored in source files on a central repository (in RCS), then compiled into individual profiles (which are specific to a machine). When a profile changes, the client is notified via UDP and then retrieves the profile via HTTP. Component scripts on the client then act on the configuration parameters.
- Template Tree 2 The teTre2 program is basically a preprocessor. It converts the configuration information contained in the tetre configuration files and in the feature tree into a number of target formats. At the moment there are two target formats available. First there is cfengine which generates a cfengine configuration file. You can then run this file with cfengine to update the local machine. Second there is a pod mode which produces comprehensive documentation of all features available in the local feature repository.
- Ark / Arusha A framework for collaborative system administration of multi-platform Unix sites with many dozens of machines. Uses XML to define packages, hosts, users etc.
- Quattor toolkit providing a powerful, portable and modular toolsuite for the automated installation, configuration and management of clusters and farms running UNIX derivates like Linux and Solaris. Uses the system package manager (RPM or PKG), support for store and manage packages centrally. Node configuration manager configures local system using a plug-in component framework. Automated Installation Infrastructure subsystem generates install time information like installer control files (Kickstart or Jumpstart) and DHCP tables.
- Gromit Rules file and cron job, designed to be very automated. Written in Python, doesn't use any python in the config, has a backend for Red Hat with one for Debian and one for Solaris in alpha status.
- Simon Stores system configuration in Oracle. Uses PL/SQL to generate config files based on the contents of the database. More Simon papers
- CFM Configuration file manager, like RPM for configuration files.
- MATtool UNIX configuration and monitoring tool with Tcl/Tk frontend.
- Genuadmin Plain text database files operated on by a Perl core program that uses shell scripts to perform actions. Uses rsh and nfs.
- Cfengine An agent and policy language for administrating and configuring large computer networks.
- PIKT PIKT is many things: a systems monitor that reports and fixes problems, systems configuration and security manager, cross-categorical toolkit, embedded scripting language and interpreter, script and system configuration file preprocessor, cross-platform centrally run script scheduler, customizing installer and more.
- Radmind Like tripwire that reverses detected changes. Loadsets can be centrally managed and pushed to machines.
- LSMI GPL Enterprise Management System. Still Alpha, mainly does monitoring.
- SEPP Software Packaging System
- SMIT The AIX System Management Interface Tool
- GEXEC Scalable cluster remote execution system.
- Ganglia Scalable distributed monitoring system.
- Mosquito Lisp Compact network oriented portable Lisp.
- E language secure distributed pure-object p2p scripting language.