Custom Installers for your Complete Application Stack

If you develop web-based software, your application likely runs on an open source database, application server, and language runtime. Your customers expect a user- friendly evaluation and deployment process, but packaging your software is a time and resource-intensive task. The BitRock Custom Stacks Service allows you to cost-effectively offer users a choice of either self-contained installers ('Custom Stacks') or virtual appliances, so they can select the deployment method that best meets their needs. Both BitRock Custom Stacks and virtual appliances will enable users to have your software up and running in just minutes while dramatically reducing the number of support requests you receive. Turning to BitRock for your software packaging will also free your developers to focus on what they do best - developing your software - rather than spending valuable time packaging it.

What is a Custom Stack?

A Custom Stack is an installer that includes your software and all of the third party software it requires to run, such as a database, language run time and web server. The installers are designed to completely automate the installation and configuration process of all of the bundled software, so even non-technical users can have your application up and running in just minutes. Sophisticated logic built into the installers prevents common installation errors, reducing installation and configuration-related support requests while providing a smoother installation process for your users. BitRock Custom Stacks are available for all mainstream operating systems and virtually any software components can be packaged.

Benefits of a Custom Stack

Reduced Support Costs: BitRock Custom Stacks are packaged with sophisticated installers that ease the configuration process. Common installation problems - such as trying to install using a port that is in use, or not having appropriate permissions - are identified during the installation process, ensuring your software is installed and configured correctly.
Dependency-free: All BitRock Custom Stacks are completely self-contained and relocatable, so they will not interfere with existing software installations, co-existing side by side with previous versions of Apache, MySQL, and so on that may be already installed in the system.
One Stack, All Distros: For each supported platform, be it OS X, Windows, Solaris or Linux, you will only need to distribute one installer. For example, your Linux stack and installer will run on virtually all Linux Distributions.
Production-Ready: BitRock Custom Stacks are ideal for evaluations as well as production environments.

What is a Virtual Appliance?

A virtual appliance is a virtual machine image that is tailored specifically to run your application. It includes your software, any required third party components and a minimal operating system that includes only the functionality required by your application. Virtual appliances are ready-to-run and do not require any installation - they run on top of a virtualization platform, or hypervisor. Once a user has a hypervisor installed, they can simply start your appliance and be up and running with your application almost instantly.

Benefits of a Virtual Appliance

Reduced Support Costs: BitRock-built virtual appliances are ready to run out of the box. They are already fully configured and integrated down to the operating system level before being shipped to customers, so installation-related support requests will be virtually eliminated.
One Appliance, All Operating Systems: As long as they have a hypervisor, such as VMWare, installed, users will be able to run your appliance regardless of which operating system they are running on their machine. With one appliance, you can support any Linux, Windows or OS X version.

Do I need to offer both a Custom Stack and a Virtual Appliance?

If your goal is to get as many people as possible running your software, then yes. While virtual appliances allow people to evaluate your software without actually installing it on their system, many people aren't yet familiar with virtualization technology. Even if they are familiar with it, they will likely want to install your software natively when it comes time to put into production, which a Custom Stack will allow them to do. Virtual appliances are also significantly larger than Custom Stacks, so they take longer to download. BitRock enables you to offer both options cost-effectively, so you can provide multiple options and allow your prospects and customers to choose the one that best meets their needs.

To learn more, contact our sales team. To see who is leveraging BitRock to provide an easy deployment process for their software, visit our case studies section or view a partial customer list.

Supported Open Source Components

Below are just a few of the many open source components we have ready to package with our automated build system. For a complete list, visit our supported components and platforms page.

Language Runtimes: Java, PHP, Python, Mono, Ruby, Perl
Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server, Ingres
Web and Application Servers: Apache, JBoss, Tomcat, Glassfish, lighttpd