AutoYaST and Kiwi-ng are both tools used in openSUSE and SUSE Linux for system provisioning and deployment, but they serve different purposes.
AutoYaST: AutoYaST is an automated installation and configuration tool for SUSE Linux operating systems. It allows you to define a set of installation and configuration parameters in an XML file, which can be used to deploy and configure multiple systems simultaneously. AutoYaST provides a flexible and centralized approach to automate the installation and initial setup of SUSE Linux systems.
Key features of AutoYaST include:
- Installation Automation: AutoYaST enables unattended installation of SUSE Linux systems by defining installation parameters such as partitioning, package selection, network configuration, users, and more.
- Configuration Management: AutoYaST can be used to configure various aspects of the system, including services, storage, network, authentication, and user settings. It allows you to customize the system to meet specific requirements.
- Profile Management: AutoYaST allows you to create and manage installation profiles. Profiles are XML files that define the installation and configuration settings for specific scenarios or system types. These profiles can be reused to easily deploy similar systems.
Kiwi-ng: Kiwi-ng is an image creation and system deployment tool used in openSUSE and SUSE Linux. It enables the creation of custom system images, such as virtual machine images, live CDs/DVDs, and cloud-ready images. Kiwi-ng provides a way to customize various aspects of the system image and automate the image creation process.
Key features of Kiwi-ng include:
- Image Building: Kiwi-ng allows you to create customized system images by defining the desired software packages, configurations, and branding options. It supports various target platforms like VMware, KVM, Xen, Hyper-V, OpenStack, and others.
- System Deployment: Kiwi-ng helps in deploying the system images on physical or virtual machines. It provides options to customize the system during the deployment process, such as network configuration, password settings, and more.
- Image Management: Kiwi-ng offers tools to manage image repositories and update existing images with patches or application updates. It assists in keeping the system images up-to-date and maintaining consistency across multiple deployments.
In summary, AutoYaST focuses on automating the installation and configuration of SUSE Linux systems, while Kiwi-ng is primarily used for creating and deploying custom system images. Both tools offer automation capabilities, but their main areas of focus differ.
