Hi,

I am working on a java based application and we are looking to ease our deployment of updates. Up until now, we've always simply sent out new install packs & had the sysadmin's on our customer sites roll out the upgrades - painful for a large number of users.

what I'd like to do is something similar to java webstart (or eclipse p2) - when the application starts, it checks for updates in a specified location and then downloads the updates prior to starting.

But here's my problem - I want more control over what's done outside of the scope of plugins & jar files. For example:

• I'd like to be able to upate my JVM (we ship a modified version with additional security features).
• I need to install DLL's - possibly local to the jar files, sometimes to windows
• Occasiontally run MSI's to install windows components (e.g. printer drivers).
• I need to modify config files & the registry.

I have found a few applications that support this (such as AppLifeUpdate at http://www.kineticjump.com/) but they tend to be .NET focused and it seems a bit perverse to introduce a .NET dependancy on a java application ;)

I know I could write my own here, but if there is already a 3rd party library out there that supports this kind of facility, then it would make my life a lot easier.

So, has anyone else had a similar problem & knows of some products I could look at?

Thanks, Brian.