What's new in 3.1.0
Introduction
This document describes what is new in the Rapid Provisioning System (RPS). RPS is a flexible and powerful automation tool for managing software installation and configuration. This document focuses on what is new in 3.1.0 and is written from a User's point of view.
What's new in RPS Version 3.1.0
RPS Version 3.1 contains new features for PowerSTIG 4.1 and a revamped patching system. The sections below show the technical updates to the system.
New PowerShell CMDLETS
This section contains a list of new PowerShell CMDLETS to support patching for the 3.1 release.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| New-RpsGroupCondition | Creates a Condition object to add to a Resource Group or Target Group to dynamically add Members. |
| Get-RpsGroupFilter | Gets the filter object on a Resource Group or Target Group |
| Remove-RpsGroupCondition | Removes a condition from a Resource Group or Target Group |
| Get-RpsResolvedParameter | Resolves a Parameter against a Target Item |
| New-RpsPackageStream | Creates new Package Stream and Packages |
| New-RpsPackage | Creates a new Package object and adds it to a Package Stream |
| Update-RpsPackageStream | Updates an existing Package Stream |
| Remove-RpsPackage | Removes an existing Package from a Package Stream and optionally removes all assignments |
| Remove-RpsPackageStream | Removes an existing Package Stream, Packages, and optionally removes all assignments |
| Get-RpsPackage | Gets an existing Package |
| Get-RpsPackageStream | Gets an existing Package Stream |
| Get-RpsMaintenanceWindow | Gets an existing Maintenance Window |
| New-RpsMaintenanceWindow | Creates a new Maintenance Window |
| Remove-RpsMaintenanceWindow | Removes an existing Maintenance Window |
| Set-RpsMaintenanceWindow | Sets a Maintenance Window if it exists or creates a new Maintenance Window if it doesn't exist |
| Get-RPSPackagingManifestSchema | Gets the xml schema for the manifest file for a RPS Package. |
| Test-RPSPackagingManifestSchema | Test the inputted XML file to validate it against the packaging schema and conditional requirments. |
Table 1: PowerShell CMDLETS
Updated PowerShell CMDLETS
This section includes PowerShell CMDLETS that were updated for the support of patching in version 3.1.
| Name | Update |
|---|---|
| New-RpsResourceGroup: New parameters added | Operator Condition |
| New-RpsTargetGroup: New parameters added | Operator Condition |
Table 2: PowerShell CMDLETS Updates
Updated DSC Utilities
This section describes the updates for resolving PowerShell Parameters to take a TargetItem and the ParameterMetedata object.
- You now do not need to have a resource assignment to a DSC partial or the parameter imported into the CMDB. You would use this in an external PowerShell script to resolve properties from the CMDB.
Updated PowerShell Functions
This section describes the updates to the PowerShell functions in RPS 3.1.
Name Module Description
Resolve RpsNode (Breaking change) The function now requires user to be in an active session context or connected to a SQL database. It no longer uses hard-coded strings to resolve the names of nodes. Resolve RpsNode Can optionally return the Node object versus just the string name Resolve RpsNode Added ability to filter out default node
Table 3: PowerShell functions
Updated RPS Installer
Added ability to deploy a preconfigured RHEL virtual machine with the RHELTemplateFilename switch parameter
Group ContentCreators that has permission to the CDN folder for adding content (e.g. Packages)
Sync Service Changes
Item Properties have a SyncScope to define how the property should be synchronized
Public - synchronize
Private - do not synchronize
Internal - synchronize only to internal nodes
InternalDownstream - synchronize only to internal children
InternalUpstream - synchronize only to internal parents
Content Delivery Network (CDN Changes
New properties on Node to define the protocol: ParentCdnProtocol and ChildCdnProtocol - This will be BITS or DFSR so the nodes know how to communicate with one another
Set-RpsResourceType: Add parameters:
CDNDirection (Upstream or Downstream) - This can be used by content (e.g. Packages) to specify the direction it should be synchronized
IsContentDistribution - This indicates whether a resource refers to content that will be synchronized
New RPS Type Definitions
Package: Defines a Package and its properties
Package Stream: Defines a Package Stream and its properties
New DSC Resources
- RPS Package Manager: DSC Resource for RPS Package Streams and Packages. Provides tools to Get, Set, and Test Packages for a Target
New PowerShell Modules
- RPS Package Provider: Provides methods to Find, Install, or Uninstall packages; Get list of installed packages; Add or Remove Packages Sources
New RPS Web UI Features
Packaging section added (RPS Menu > Distribution > Packaging)
Approvals tab: Approve or Reject Package Streams
Scheduling tab: Create, Edit, and Delete Maintenance Windows
History tab: View the deployment status of Package Streams, Packages, and Assignments