Software Installation Automation

Project Introduction

The Software Installation Automation project is a Python-based application designed to streamline the software installation process across multiple systems in IT and CS labs. By leveraging WebSocket communication and a user-friendly interface, this tool enables administrators to remotely install, update, and manage software packages efficiently.

Target Audience

This project is designed for:

• System Administrators: Simplify software deployment across multiple lab computers.
• Educational Institutions: Maintain uniform software setups for different semesters in IT and CS labs.
• IT Professionals: Automate software deployment in large-scale environments, reducing manual effort.

Key Features

LabManager

• Lab-Specific Software Deployment:
  • Choose between "IT Lab" and "CS Lab," each mapped to predefined groups of IP addresses.
• Semester-Based Software Selection:
  • Select semester-specific software packages (e.g., VS Code, Python, MySQL).
• Git Token Integration:
  • Prompt administrators to enter their Git token before installation. The token is securely passed to the client PCs for downloading installation files.
• Remote Installation Commands:
  • Send commands over WebSocket to execute software installations on remote systems.
• Acknowledgment Confirmation:
  • Prevent accidental installations with a mandatory acknowledgment checkbox.

LabClient

• WebSocket Server:
  • Receives commands from Lab_Control to execute installation scripts.
• Automated Script Execution:
  • Downloads and runs installation scripts (install.bat) and package configurations (packages.config) from a GitHub repository.
• Error Handling and Logs:
  • Logs errors and execution statuses for monitoring.
• Integration with Chocolatey:
  • Uses Chocolatey to install software based on the configuration file.

How to Run

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x: Ensure Python is installed.
• Required Libraries: Install the necessary dependencies:

  pip install -r requirements.txt

• PyInstaller: To create standalone executables:

  pip install pyinstaller

Running Lab_Control

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/yourusername/software-installation-automation.git
   cd software-installation-automation

2. Start the application:

   python Lab_Control.py

3. Use the interface to select labs, software packages, and initiate installation.

Running Lab_pc

1. Use PyInstaller to create a standalone .exe for Lab_pc:

   pyinstaller --onefile --noconsole Lab_pc.py

2. Copy the .exe to the target machine.
3. Run the .exe to start the WebSocket server.

Workflow

1. Lab_Control:
   • Prompts the user for a Git token.
   • Sends installation commands along with the token to client PCs via WebSocket.
2. Lab_pc:
   • Downloads install.bat and packages.config using the Git token.
   • Executes the install.bat to install the required software using Chocolatey.

Scope

The project provides a reliable solution for automating software installations in lab environments. It includes:

• WebSocket communication for remote command execution.
• Predefined software packages tailored for educational purposes.
• Git token-based authentication for secure file downloads.

Future Enhancements

• Dynamic Software Selection:
  • Enable administrators to define software packages dynamically.
• Detailed Logs:
  • Implement a logging mechanism to track installation progress and errors.
• Live Monitoring:
  • Add a real-time dashboard to monitor installation status across systems.
• Enhanced Update Functionality:
  • Develop a feature to update existing installations remotely.