Introduction to SoftWare UPdater (SWUP)
SWUP is short for "Software Updater". It is an advanced tool for installing, and upgrading software packages independent of packaging format. It resolves dependencies between the packages, and provides extensive functionality for querying this dependency information. It is typically a tool used by the system administrator, but can run automatically via a cron or at daemon, and the query functionality is also available for normal users. It support both HTTP and HTTPS protocols with or without user / password authentication, in addition to anonymous FTP, all used for efficient transfer of dependency data and software packages between the remote repository and the local machine. It also supports both transparent and nontransparent HTTP and FTP proxy.