Private software repository

Linking an integrated repository with Atera offers enhanced security by allowing you to vet and approve software, customize software for your specific needs, and manage updates, ensuring consistent compatibility and stability across all devices. Atera makes it easy to connect to NuGet and upload software, making it instantly available for deployment. Additionally, you can create software packages within Atera that are then deployable to your end-user devices. This streamlined process allows for custom software installation on single or multiple devices and easy inclusion in software bundles, so you can mass deploy custom software that is not part of any public repository.
Note: This new feature is currently available to select Atera design partners.

How it works

• Link your private repository to Atera.
• Upload custom software to your private repository. 
  Note: We recommend uploading all software with Atera, as other methods may not correctly package the software‌, causing issues with its operation.
• Install software on your end-user devices.
  • Custom software (pulled from your private repository) can be installed on Windows devices only. 
  • Atera uses the Chocolatey infrastructure to pull packages directly from the integrated repository.

Chocolatey and your repositories

Harness the power and efficiency of Chocolatey while maintaining the control, security, and customization offered by using a dedicated, integrated repository.

• Public repository: This refers to the standard Chocolatey community repository, accessible to everyone. It contains thousands of software packages that are maintained by the community.
• Private repository: Distinct from the public Chocolatey repository, this repository can be specific to an organization or a user and can contain customized or proprietary software not available in the public repository.
  • When deploying software stored in your private repository via Atera, you're not pulling from the vast sea of packages in the public Chocolatey repository. Instead, you're sourcing directly from your integrated, private repository. This guarantees that only the software you've added, vetted, and approved is installed on your devices. 
    Note: We recommend uploading software to your private repository via Atera. This not only simplifies the process but ensures software compatibility with the Chocolatey packaging standards.

Manage repository

Connect repository

You can seamlessly integrate your preferred NuGet v2 private repository (alongside accessing the public Chocolatey repository). Whether you're using platforms like Azure, JFrog, or MyGet, Atera's got you covered for seamless software management and deployment. For more information on setting up and connecting repositories, see the following vendor support articles and videos:

• Azure Artifacts: For more information, see Get started with NuGet packages in Azure Artifacts
• JFrog Artifactory: For more information, see Setting up a Nuget repository JFrog Artifactory
• MyGet: For more information, see Getting Started Creating Your Own NuGet Feed

To connect your repository to Atera:

1. From Admin (on the sidebar), click Software management.

The Software management page appears.

2. Click Manage repository.

The Manage repository slideout appears.

3. Enter the following:

• Source name: Enter the source name.
• Source URL: Enter the source URL.
  Note: The source URL must end with "index.json"
• Username: Enter the username (email address).
• Password: Enter the password/token.

4. Click Save.

You've successfully linked your repository with Atera!

Upload software

Uploading software to your repository via Atera is key to ensuring a seamless integration experience. We recommend uploading software with an installation URL as software packages will be pulled directly from the source to your repository. This method ensures the deployment of the latest software versions — and comes without any size constraints. 
Note: 

• You can only upload software if you have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled. 
• File uploads are limited to 1.5 GB per file.
• You can't upload software that has the same name and version number as an existing one.
• To upload packages directly to your private repository before syncing it with Atera, please ensure it follows the packaging guidelines described in this Chocolatey article

To upload software:

1. From Admin (on the sidebar), click Software management.

The Software management page appears.

2. From the Software repository tab, click Upload software.

The Upload software window appears.

3. Upload a file or enter the installation URL.

4. Enter the software name, version, and author. 
Note: Click More information to enter a software description and/or attach a logo (via URL or file upload).

5. Click Upload.

The software is uploaded and displayed as the first item in the Software repository tab.
Note: When you revisit the tab, all software will be in alphabetical order.

Delete software

If a software bundle contains any software that has been deleted from your repository, that software will also be removed from any bundle that includes it.
Note: Actions performed directly in the NuGet repository may require manual updates to corresponding software bundles in Atera. This is because matching is based on name and version — any software changes made directly in the private repository must be manually synchronized with Atera's associated software entries.

To delete software from your repository:

1. From Admin (on the sidebar), click Software management.

The Software management page appears.

2. From the Software repository tab, find the software and click Delete.

A confirmation window appears.

3. Click Delete.

The software is deleted and removed from your software repository and any software bundles containing it.

Detach repository

1. From Admin (on the sidebar), click Software management.

The Software management page appears.

2. Click Manage repository.

The Manage repository slideout appears.

3. At the bottom, click Detach repository.

A confirmation window appears. 

To change the repository (update the source URL), click Update source URL. 

• Updating the source URL will keep all matching software in your bundles.

To disconnect the repository from Atera (delete the source URL), click Detach and delete.

• Detaching the repository will remove all software from your bundles.

Install software

You can install software from your private repository (alongside public repositories) on a single device, in bulk, or via IT automation profiles. For more information, see Software installation

Troubleshooting

Why is the software from my private repository not displayed?

There are two main causes for this:

• Authentication error: If the authentication fails (e.g., the token has expired), then the synchronization will be disabled. This means you won't be able to see the software in your private repository or deploy it to your devices.
• Detached repository: When you detach the repository, all software items will be deleted from all their associated bundles.