auto-update-blueprint

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auto-update-blueprint ##(see the SpecSpec for an explanation)

'''NOTE:''' ''Please check the status of this specification in Launchpad before editing it. If it is Approved, contact the Assignee or another knowledgeable person before making changes.''

## Register at https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+specs

 * '''Launchpad Entry''': https://blueprints.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/auto-update
 * '''Created''': [[Date(2007-04-16T19:15:14Z)]] by [:JustinMWray]
 * '''Contributors''': MatthewWines
 * '''Packages affected''': [http://packages.ubuntu.com/edgy/gnome/update-manager update-manager]
 * '''Release Goal''': Gutsy Gibbon

== Summary ==

The ability to automatically download and install updates (unattended) when they are released. Users will be able to configure their systems, so that updates are automatically handled by the system without interaction, based off of their "Auto Update" selection. This should be handled by a user-friendly GUI.

== Rationale ==

With a vigorous release schedule and round-the-clock updates, ''Linux'' is one of the most secure and "well-updated" operating systems in the world. But with this cutting edge technology comes endless updates. Although this can be seen as a good thing, it can become overly cumbersome and annoying to end-users, simply trying to do their work, without tinkering with the underlying OS.

Currently ''Ubuntu'' makes updates fun and easy, with the notifications in the task bar. This icon notifies the user of updates, and allows them to view, download, and install the updates with very few clicks of the mouse, and without being interrupted during current work. Although this is a great asset to updates and the ''Ubuntu'' system, there are other routes that can be taken with updates.

Currently there are a few options to "automatically update" ''Ubuntu''. One way being via third party software, and the other, cron-jobs and scripts. Both go away from the "Linux for Human Begins" or "Just Working" attitude. Therefore a solution must be made within the ''Ubuntu'' release which solves the problem, both with stability and easy of use.

Thus the role of automatic updates, with the ability to setup the computer to just "download, update, and work", users will be able to continue working uninterrupted, while always being up-to-date and current.

== Use cases ==

 * For those users who like to have complete control over their system, they have the ability to turn auto-updates off, and can still update via the normal means.

 * Users who want to be up-to-date without the hassle will have the ability to have all updates downloaded and installed, without any interaction.

 * The users who trust ''Ubuntu'' Security updates, etc. will be able to have security updates downloaded and installed, while still manually installing optional and recommended updates.

 * And the users who want to pick and choice the updates without waiting for them to download, can automatically predownload the updates, so they can be installed later at the users digression.

== Scope ==

This spec requires updates in:

 * [http://packages.ubuntu.com/edgy/gnome/update-manager Update Manager]
 * Possible ''apt'' for better update handling
 * Possible [http://packages.ubuntu.com/edgy/gnome/update-notifier Update Notifier] to initiate the updates

== Design ==

The ''Ubuntu'' update manager should have the ability to automatically install updates when notified by the repositories, of a new update. However, there should be some power in the hands of the user, therefore sane defaults and options must be available, through a carefully created "user-friendly" graphical interface.

=== Updates ===

The following options should be present:

 * Automatic Updates Off
 * Automatically Download and Install all Updates
 * Automatically Download and Install Security Updates Only [Recommended]
 * Automatically Download Updates Only (Do not Install)

=== Reboots ===

The follow options, will handle auto-reboots:

 * Automatic Reboots Off
 * Automatically Reboot (After the updates are installed) [Recommended]
 * Scheduled Reboot (HH : MM)(AM/PM)

== Design Rationale ==

=== Updates ===

Sane options, and user-friendliness are key points in any Ubuntu related project, auto-updates shall be no different. With the described options, most users will be covered with an updating option. Although the options will not cover every case that could appear, they will fit nicely enough to give the flexibility needed in any case.

=== Reboots ===

Often time Linux updates will go without any interruptions to the working environment, and hardly need a physical-reboot, however these are rare occasions when such an updates is released.

Users will now have that ability to reboot the PC's while away, after new updates, or automatically reboot at a specified time. If the users choices to have the computer reboot after the installation, a sixty-second warning/prompt should be present to ensure the users is ready for the reboot (if no response is given to the prompt, the computer is rebooted). In addition is the reboot is scheduled, the user should be warned before the reboot. At anytime, a reboot should be able to be canceled.

== Final decision ==

This is to be determined, after approval.

== Implementation ==

This is to be determined, after approval.

== Outstanding issues ==

 * What about packages that might ask debconf questions or questions about replacing debian/conffiles?
 * What about potential unresolvable package interrelationships?

== BoF Agenda ==

This is to be determined, after approval.

== Discussion ==

 * ''Auto Updating'' should '''not''' be this hard, [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=281089&highlight=autoupdate Why is cron/autoupdate not working?] or [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=277532&highlight=auto+updates apt-get upgrade from cron] or [http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=159682&highlight=auto+updates automatic updates] --[:JustinMWray]

 * [http://packages.ubuntu.com/edgy/admin/unattended-upgrades unattended-upgrades]/[https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+spec/unattended-package-upgrades blueprint] - This package is a python script to modify 'apt' in a way in which "security" updates are automatically installed. This package doesn't give the same power to the user as defined in these specifications, nor does it achieve the user-friendly level expected by this "feature". --[:JustinMWray]

 * [http://packages.ubuntu.com/edgy/admin/update-apt update-apt] - This package keeps the repository cache up-to-date as well as predownloads updates. Therefore this package does complete/implement one portion of this specification. However, this is on the backend side, and the GUI interface still needs to be created.

 * In addition, this package should be installed by default, and be apart of, or easily accessed from the ''Update Manager'' --[:JustinMWray]

----
CategorySpec

NOTE: Please check the status of this specification in Launchpad before editing it. If it is Approved, contact the Assignee or another knowledgeable person before making changes.

Summary

The ability to automatically download and install updates (unattended) when they are released. Users will be able to configure their systems, so that updates are automatically handled by the system without interaction, based off of their "Auto Update" selection. This should be handled by a user-friendly GUI.

Rationale

With a vigorous release schedule and round-the-clock updates, Linux is one of the most secure and "well-updated" operating systems in the world. But with this cutting edge technology comes endless updates. Although this can be seen as a good thing, it can become overly cumbersome and annoying to end-users, simply trying to do their work, without tinkering with the underlying OS.

Currently Ubuntu makes updates fun and easy, with the notifications in the task bar. This icon notifies the user of updates, and allows them to view, download, and install the updates with very few clicks of the mouse, and without being interrupted during current work. Although this is a great asset to updates and the Ubuntu system, there are other routes that can be taken with updates.

Currently there are a few options to "automatically update" Ubuntu. One way being via third party software, and the other, cron-jobs and scripts. Both go away from the "Linux for Human Begins" or "Just Working" attitude. Therefore a solution must be made within the Ubuntu release which solves the problem, both with stability and easy of use.

Thus the role of automatic updates, with the ability to setup the computer to just "download, update, and work", users will be able to continue working uninterrupted, while always being up-to-date and current.

Use cases

  • For those users who like to have complete control over their system, they have the ability to turn auto-updates off, and can still update via the normal means.
  • Users who want to be up-to-date without the hassle will have the ability to have all updates downloaded and installed, without any interaction.

  • The users who trust Ubuntu Security updates, etc. will be able to have security updates downloaded and installed, while still manually installing optional and recommended updates.

  • And the users who want to pick and choice the updates without waiting for them to download, can automatically predownload the updates, so they can be installed later at the users digression.

Scope

This spec requires updates in:

Design

The Ubuntu update manager should have the ability to automatically install updates when notified by the repositories, of a new update. However, there should be some power in the hands of the user, therefore sane defaults and options must be available, through a carefully created "user-friendly" graphical interface.

Updates

The following options should be present:

  • Automatic Updates Off
  • Automatically Download and Install all Updates
  • Automatically Download and Install Security Updates Only [Recommended]
  • Automatically Download Updates Only (Do not Install)

Reboots

The follow options, will handle auto-reboots:

  • Automatic Reboots Off
  • Automatically Reboot (After the updates are installed) [Recommended]
  • Scheduled Reboot (HH : MM)(AM/PM)

Design Rationale

Updates

Sane options, and user-friendliness are key points in any Ubuntu related project, auto-updates shall be no different. With the described options, most users will be covered with an updating option. Although the options will not cover every case that could appear, they will fit nicely enough to give the flexibility needed in any case.

Reboots

Often time Linux updates will go without any interruptions to the working environment, and hardly need a physical-reboot, however these are rare occasions when such an updates is released.

Users will now have that ability to reboot the PC's while away, after new updates, or automatically reboot at a specified time. If the users choices to have the computer reboot after the installation, a sixty-second warning/prompt should be present to ensure the users is ready for the reboot (if no response is given to the prompt, the computer is rebooted). In addition is the reboot is scheduled, the user should be warned before the reboot. At anytime, a reboot should be able to be canceled.

Final decision

This is to be determined, after approval.

Implementation

This is to be determined, after approval.

Outstanding issues

  • What about packages that might ask debconf questions or questions about replacing debian/conffiles?
  • What about potential unresolvable package interrelationships?

BoF Agenda

This is to be determined, after approval.

Discussion

CategorySpec

auto-update-blueprint (last edited 2008-08-06 16:27:03 by localhost)