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OpenDSC

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What OpenDSC is

OpenDSC is a configuration management platform for Microsoft Desired State Configuration (DSC), intended for teams managing settings across infrastructure nodes. Its Local Configuration Manager monitors system state and can automatically correct configuration drift. For centralized deployments, the pull server registers nodes, distributes configurations, and provides compliance reporting through a Blazor dashboard and REST API. Configurations can be versioned, combined into composite deployments, and parameterized by region, environment, or node; local file-based configurations are also available for disconnected use. The resource library covers Windows administration, SQL Server, and file, JSON, XML, and archive tasks across Windows, Linux, and macOS. A Resource Development Kit provides .NET libraries and support for CLI integration and schema management when building custom resources. The pull server supports OpenID Connect providers such as Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and Auth0, along with client-certificate mutual TLS for registered nodes, role-based access controls, and retention policies. SQLite is supported for development, with SQL Server or PostgreSQL for production deployments. OpenDSC is self-hosted, free, and MIT licensed.

Who it suits

OpenDSC suits teams managing configuration across infrastructure nodes, including centralized deployments and disconnected environments. It is aimed at Microsoft DSC workflows and supports Windows, Linux, and macOS resources.

What it does well

  • Local Configuration Manager can correct configuration drift.
  • Pull server offers node registration and compliance reporting.
  • Supports local configurations for disconnected use.
  • MIT licensed and free.

What to know first

  • Native Linux and macOS LCM services are planned work.
  • Distribution packages are listed as planned work.
  • Official Docker deployment is listed as planned work.

Getting started

  1. Visit the OpenDSC website and documentation.
  2. Choose local file-based configurations for disconnected use or configure the pull server for centralized management.
  3. Select SQLite for development, or SQL Server or PostgreSQL for a production deployment.
  4. Register nodes and use client certificates for mutual TLS authentication.
  5. Assign configurations and manage nodes through the Blazor dashboard or REST API.

Verdict

OpenDSC combines local drift correction with centralized configuration distribution and compliance reporting. Its deployment roadmap lists native Linux and macOS LCM services, distribution packages, and official Docker deployment as planned rather than available.

Questions

Is OpenDSC free and open source?

OpenDSC is listed as free, and its public GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.

Which platforms does OpenDSC support?

Its supported platforms are Windows, Linux, and macOS. Native Linux and macOS LCM services are listed as planned work.

Can OpenDSC manage disconnected systems?

Yes. The LCM supports local file-based configurations for disconnected use.

Which databases can the pull server use?

SQLite is supported for development. Production deployments can use SQL Server or PostgreSQL.

Which identity providers are supported?

The pull server supports OpenID Connect providers including Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and Auth0, as well as standards-compliant OIDC providers.

Who is credited with OpenDSC?

The documentation credits Thomas Nieto.

Facts from OpenDSC's own pages

Access control
The Pull Server provides role-based access control with users, groups, and granular authorization policies. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Access controls
The pull server includes role-based access control with users, groups, and granular authorization policies. · opendsc.dev, 3 Oct 2026
API and automation
The pull server provides a REST API with interactive documentation for integration and automation. · opendsc.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Configuration features
Configurations can be versioned, combined into composite deployments, and parameterized by scopes such as region, environment, and node. · opendsc.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Configuration options
The LCM supports local file-based configurations for disconnected use as well as server-driven pull configurations. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Cross-platform resources
Its resource library covers Windows system management, SQL Server administration, and file, JSON, XML, and archive tasks across Windows, Linux, and macOS. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Custom resources
The Resource Development Kit helps teams build custom DSC resources and handles CLI integration and schema management. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Database support
The Pull Server supports SQLite for development and SQL Server or PostgreSQL for production deployments. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Data retention
Administrators can set global and per-configuration retention policies to remove old versions and control storage use. · opendsc.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Deployment limits
The install guide says Debian and RPM packages, Homebrew packages, and Docker support are coming soon. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Drift correction
Its Local Configuration Manager monitors configuration drift and automatically remediates divergence. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Identity integrations
The pull server supports OpenID Connect providers including Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and Auth0, with JWT bearer tokens for API clients. · opendsc.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Integrations
The Pull Server supports OpenID Connect providers including Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and Auth0, as well as standards-compliant OIDC providers. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The documentation describes use for teams managing configurations across infrastructure nodes, including disconnected scenarios and centralized deployments. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
License
The project’s GitHub repository identifies its license as MIT. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License and maker
The public GitHub repository identifies OpenDSC as MIT licensed, and the documentation credits Thomas Nieto. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Management
The Pull Server includes a Blazor web dashboard and REST API for node management, configuration assignment, and compliance reporting. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Pull server
The Pull Server centralizes configuration delivery, node registration, and compliance reporting. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
OpenDSC is a configuration management platform for Microsoft Desired State Configuration (DSC). · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026
Resources
The resource library covers Windows administration, SQL Server, and cross-platform file, JSON, XML, and archive tasks. · opendsc.dev, 3 Oct 2026
Security
Nodes authenticate with a registration key during initial registration and use client certificates afterward; the documentation describes mTLS authentication. · opendsc.dev, 4 Oct 2026

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