Today’s post will show you how to deploy custom Python scripts or other non-packaged software with Automox.
Distributing packaged code can be done easily by using the Custom Policy feature.
At a high-level you will:
- Create a custom policy
- Assign the policy to a group
- Execute the policy
Deploying custom Python scripts (or other non-packaged software)
To begin, log in to the console. We’ll use a Python script as an example in the steps below.
Step 1: Navigate to the system management page
Step 2: Select create policy
Step 3: Select your OS
Step 4: Name the policy
Step 5: Evaluation code
The evaluation code section of the page is where code is entered to check to see whether or not the program is already installed. The return code will either be a 1 or 0. If Automox receives an error code (return code 1) then it will perform the install. In the example below, I use test -f to see if the file is there. If the file is there, the return code will be 0 which means the file will not be installed.
Step 6: Remediation code
In this step, you will tell the app how to install the file. Uploading your file will deploy the remediation code. Here, you have the option to upload tar, zip, etc., but be sure to include tar -x or unzip if you use an archive. Since this is a Python script, all we need is to copy it into place.
Step 7: Upload file
Selecting ‘Upload File’ launches the save policy screen.
Step 8: Save the policy
A prompt will display asking you to save the policy to continue. If you’re ready to continue, select ‘Save’.
Step 9: Set the install schedule
Select the months, weeks, days, and times when you would like the software to install.
Step 10: Select ‘save policy’
Step 11: Navigate back to the system management page
Step 12: Select the new policy you just created
Step 13: Select ‘Add group’ to add the new policy to a group
Step 14: Either add the policy to an existing group or create a new group
For this example, we will create a new group.
Step 15: If you’re adding a new group, assign devices
Step 16: Select ‘Create group’ to save it
Step 17: Navigate back to the Policy page, pick the new group, and then select ‘Assign to groups’
Step 18: Save the policy
Step 19: Should you decide to run the policy immediately, select ‘Devices’, pick the device and finish by selecting ‘Run policy’
That’s all there is to it!
It’s important to keep in mind that we went through adding a new group and really broke down the steps into minute detail. Following these steps will help you to create a custom policy to distribute code using the Automox console.
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