Automated deployment of VisualSVN Repository Configurator using Group Policy

Summary

In an enterprise setting, the management of security and configuration of Subversion repositories can be delegated to a trusted group of users, repository supervisors. To support this scenario, the Enterprise Edition of VisualSVN Server provides a remote repository management tool — VisualSVN Repository Configurator.

The Repository Configurator is a lightweight application (less than 1 MB); it installs in the user profile location and does not require local administrator rights for its installation or execution.

This article will guide you through an automated, group membership-based deployment of VisualSVN Repository Configurator via Active Directory Group Policy.

Prerequisites

  • A security group (named Subversion Supervisors or similarly) populated with user accounts responsible for your Subversion repositories must exist in your Active Directory.
  • To manage Group Policy from a workstation rather than a domain controller you need to install Remote Server Administration Tools package. More information and download instructions for various versions of RSAT are available in TechNet Wiki article "Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) for Windows Client and Windows Server".

Assign Repository Configurator to repository supervisors

To enable the automated deployment of the VisualSVN Repository Configurator software for your Subversion supervisors follow the steps below.

  1. Download VisualSVN Repository Configurator standalone installer package from
    https://www.visualsvn.com/server/download/repository-configurator/.
  2. Copy the installer file to a network share that serves as your organization’s distribution point for Group Policy-based software installations. Make sure Subversion Supervisors group members have at least Read access to the shared resource.
  3. Start Group Policy Management console (gpmc.msc). Right-click your domain and select Create a GPO in this domain, and link it here. On the New GPO prompt specify the GPO name: VisualSVN Repository Configurator Install.
  4. Double-click the newly created GPO. On the Scope tab in the Security Filtering section remove Authenticated Users from the policy scope and add Subversion Supervisors group — the global group you created to hold your trusted repository supervisors.
  5. Right-click the GPO, choose Edit and navigate to User Configuration > Policy > Software Settings.
    Important
    Repository Configurator must be deployed per user. If it is assigned per computer, the automated installation will fail.
  6. Right-click Software installation and choose New > Package. Specify the full Universal Naming Convention (UNC) path of the shared installer file, for example:
    \\fileserver\share\VisualSVN\VisualSVN-Repository-Configurator-2.7.6.msi
  7. In the Deploy Software prompt select Advanced. When you click OK, the package Properties dialog opens.
  8. On the Deployment tab select Assigned and Install this application at logon. Click OK in the package Properties dialog and close Group Policy Management Editor.
  9. VisualSVN Repository Configurator application will be automatically installed for Subversion Supervisors group the next time its members log on.

Deploy an updated version of Repository Configurator

To roll out an updated version of VisualSVN Repository Configurator to your repository supervisors follow these steps:

  1. Download a newer version of the VisualSVN Repository Configurator installer package from
    https://www.visualsvn.com/server/download/repository-configurator/.
    This page always contains the latest version of the software. Copy the new version of the MSI file to the distribution point on a network share.
  2. Start Group Policy Management console (gpmc.msc).
  3. Right-click VisualSVN Repository Configurator Install GPO, choose Edit and navigate to User Configuration > Policy > Software Settings.
  4. Right-click Software installation and choose New > Package. Specify the full UNC path to the updated version of the Repository Configurator installer, for example:
    \\fileserver\share\VisualSVN\VisualSVN-Repository-Configurator-2.7.7.msi
  5. In the Deploy Software prompt select Advanced. When you click OK, the package Properties dialog opens.
  6. On the Deployment tab select Assigned and Install this application at logon.
  7. On the Upgrades tab select Required upgrade for existing packages. Click OK in the package Properties dialog and close Group Policy Management Editor.
  8. The updated version of Repository Configurator will be automatically installed for Subversion Supervisors group the next time its members log on.

Notes

If you prefer not to force the software installation at logon, uncheck Install this application at logon option on the Deployment tab in the package properties. The installation can then be manually launched by the policy scope users from Control Panel > Programs and Features > Install a program from the network.

Additional information

For general instructions on Group Policy-based software installation you may also consult TechNet article "How to use Group Policy to remotely install software in Windows Server 2008 and in Windows Server 2003".

See also

KB62: Getting started with Repository Management Delegation