Ask HN: How to deploy to on-premise enterprises?

[tixocloud]

Hi HN-ers,

Hopefully some of you folks with enterprise experience will be able to help me.

I'm exploring how we can deploy our software on-premises to enterprises and see that deploying a virtual appliance is a common way. Are there any other better ways of doing this (i.e. Docker image)? What are some other things I need to think about?

How will I manage to keep the software updated with the latest features for a client while maintaining consistency across the code base?

Thanks in advance.

[grantlmiller]

Check out the guide I wrote about your options for this: https://www.enterpriseready.io/features/deployment-options/

Docker/Swarm/Kubernetes is definitely becoming the standard for modern on-prem deployments. You keep the software in sync by delivering new versions of the manifest regularly (you can even have these automatically applied w/ zero-downtime if you're doing automation correctly).

[tixocloud → grantlmiller]

Thanks very much. I'll have a read.

[vivan]

In my experience, on-prem installations have to be manually upgraded by someone at the company. I haven't come across many auto-updating appliances. As a result you will likely end up having to keep supporting even very old versions of the software which can become a nightmare. You can of course tell clients that you won't support anything but the latest few versions to force them to upgrade.

[TanakaTarou]

An enterprise would have a process for you to follow. It will most likely mandate that for each change / deployment you will have to submit an Request For Change (RFC) explaining the purpose of the deployment, backup procedure, roll back procedure. The will have a form you to fill out.

It will, with almost certainly, not be you that performs the installation / deployment. It will be someone else and he will use the instructions you provide in the RFC

<How will I manage to keep the software updated with the latest features

You will not or rather, every time you want to update it you must submit a new RFC. Enterprises are not interested in "the latest" features. The are interested in stability. So a stable product might never be updated unless there is a compelling business case for why it should be updated.

You will (most likely) not get access to the servers or infrastructure and you can not just log onto some server and upgrade / change something. Everything you do will have to be tested and approved in multiple environment (test and preproduction) before it hits production

[tixocloud → TanakaTarou]

Thanks - I'm assuming that every enterprise could potentially have their own process/infrastructure of which we'll have to decide how we can fulfill?

Is it common to say we can serve enterprises and then after contract negotiations, build the deployment specifically for the client?

I've seen virtual appliances, physical appliances, zipped files, etc. but not sure what's the most common or easiest method. Seems like there isn't an easiest/standard method and it differs client by client.

[TanakaTarou → tixocloud]

Yes, all have different processes, but they all speak the same language. You should take a 1 - 2 days course in ITIL, so you use the same terms as they do. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITIL