LCFG
LCFG is a free GPL-licensed system for installing and managing configurations across large Unix environments, especially where machines differ and settings c…
What LCFG is
LCFG is a free GPL-licensed system for installing and managing configurations across large Unix environments, especially where machines differ and settings change frequently. Administrators keep source files on a central server; LCFG compiles them into XML profiles that clients download when profiles change. Client components react to resource changes by creating configuration files and reconfiguring related daemons. A package component aligns installed software with each machine’s profile. New machines can be installed through a network file system after source files are prepared, using a boot floppy or PXE. The current generation transports resources over HTTP and supports self-hosted, agent-based operation with patch management. Listed supported platforms include Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, and 24.04; project FAQ material also names Fedora Core 3, 5, and 6 and Scientific Linux 5. Solaris is less supported and un-packaged, while the Mac OS X port is experimental and the demonstration Windows client has no real components. Documentation covers dynamic networking and component build tools.
Good
- Freely available under the GPL
- Central source files compile into XML profiles
- Synchronizes installed packages with profiles
- Supports PXE and network installations
- Includes dynamic networking facilities
Watch out
- Mac OS X port is experimental
- Windows client has no real components
- Solaris is less supported and un-packaged
- Some FAQ-listed releases are old
Who it suits
LCFG suits administrators managing varied, changing Unix configurations from a central source. It is intended for self-hosted Linux environments that can work with its listed platform support.
Verdict
LCFG provides centralized, profile-based configuration and package management for Unix sites. Its documented platform limitations make checking compatibility important before deployment.
Plans and prices
From LCFG's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| LCFG | Free | All software freely available under the GPL |
The facts
Each one read from LCFG's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Architecture history
- LCFG was originally designed by Paul Anderson at the University of Edinburgh around 1993, and its current generation uses HTTP for resource transport.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Automated installation
- New machines can be installed by booting from a network file system using a boot floppy or PXE, after their source files are created.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Build tools
- The documentation describes a suite of tools to aid development of LCFG components and software.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Community and support
- The project offers an archived mailing list and holds regular meetings open to people using or considering LCFG.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Configuration model
- Site configuration is stored in source files on a central server, compiled into XML profiles, and downloaded by client machines when profiles change.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Documentation
- The project documentation includes a practical system configuration book, a guide, build tool documentation, and material on dynamic network configuration.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Dynamic networking
- The documentation describes facilities for configuring nodes dynamically for use on different networks, including laptops on remote networks.checked 8 Oct 2001
- License
- The LCFG software is freely available under the GPL.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Modular components
- Client component scripts respond to resource changes by generating configuration files and reconfiguring associated daemons.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Package management
- An LCFG component synchronizes installed packages with the package list specified in each machine's profile.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- LCFG automatically installs and manages configurations for large numbers of Unix systems, particularly at sites with diverse and rapidly changing configurations.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Security updates
- A September 2026 project update says a new LCFG header was made available to mitigate the CVE-2026-68121 kernel security issue.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Support
- LCFG provides an archived mailing list for discussion and announcements, and its package documentation directs bug reports and feedback to [email protected].checked 8 Oct 2001
- Supported systems
- The FAQ lists Fedora Core 3, 5, and 6 and Scientific Linux 5 as supported releases, while warning that Solaris is less supported and un-packaged for distribution.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Target users
- The project welcomes people who use or are considering using LCFG to its regular meetings, and describes the system as suitable for sites with diverse, rapidly changing configurations.checked 8 Oct 2001
The company
- Founded
- 1993checked 28 Sep 2001
Where it runs
- Linux platforms
- The FAQ lists Fedora Core 3, 5, and 6 and Scientific Linux 5 as supported; it says ports to distributions such as Debian were not incorporated.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Platform limitations
- The FAQ says the Mac OS X port is experimental and not production quality, while the demonstration Windows client has no real components.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Platform limits
- The FAQ says the Solaris port was in production but not packaged for distribution and less well supported; the Mac OS X port was experimental and not production quality.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Recent platform work
- A September 2026 project update says work on the Ubuntu Resolute platform was continuing and notes configuration churn.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Windows limit
- The FAQ describes a demonstration Windows client that can retrieve profile resource values, but says no real components had been written.checked 8 Oct 2001
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