Chapter 19: Package Management

Red Hat Linux consists of various software applications and utilities, known as RPM packages. A package is just a file that contains a software program (identical in concept to .exe files in Windows).

This chapter explains four ways to update your system: using the Package Management Tool, the Red Hat Network, the online Errata List, or the Red Hat Linux Installation CD-ROMs.

Updating with the Package Management Tool

During installation, users select an installation type such as Workstation or Server. Software packages are installed based on this selection. Because people use their computers differently, users might want to install or remove packages after installation. The Package Management Tool allows users to perform these actions.

To start the application, click the Main Menu button and choose System Settings > Packages (or type the command redhat-config-packages at the shell prompt).

Figure 19-1. Package Management Tool

The interface for the Package Management tool is similar to the one used during the package management stage of installation (see Chapter 2). Packages are divided into package groups, which contain a list of standard packages and extra packages that share common functionality. For example, the Graphical Internet group contains a Web browser, email client, and other graphical programs that are used to connect to the Internet. The standard packages cannot be selected for removal unless the entire package group is removed. The extra packages are optional packages that can be selected for installation or removal as long as the package group is selected.

The main window shows a list of package groups. If the package group has a checkmark in the checkbox beside it, packages from that group are currently installed. To view the individual packages list for a group, click the Details button beside it. The individual packages with a checkmark beside them are currently installed.

Installing Packages

To install the standard packages in a package group that is not currently installed, check the checkbox beside it. To customize the packages to be installed within the group, click the Details button beside it.

The list of standard and extra packages is displayed. Clicking on the package name displays the disk space required to install the package at the bottom of the window. Checking the checkbox beside the package name marks it for installation.

Figure 19-2. Individual Package Selection

You can also select individual packages from already installed package groups by clicking the Details button and checking any of the extra packages not already installed.

After selecting package groups and individual packages to install, click the Update button on the main window. The application will then compute the amount of disk space required to install the packages as well as any package dependencies and then display a summary window. If there are package dependencies, they will be automatically added to the list of packages to be installed. Click the Show Details button to view the complete list of packages to be installed.

Figure 19-3. Package Installation Summary

Click Continue to start the installation process. When it is finished, an Update Complete message will appear.

Tip

If you use Nautilus to browse the files and directories on your computer, you can also use it to install packages. In Nautilus, go to the directory that contains an RPM package (they usually end in .rpm), and double-click on the RPM icon to start installing the package.

Removing Packages

To remove all the packages installed within a package group, uncheck the checkbox beside it. To remove individual packages, click the Details button beside the package group and uncheck the individual packages.

When you are finished selecting packages to remove, click the Update button in the main window.

Package Manager computes the amount of disk space that will be freed up as well as the software package dependencies. If other packages depend on the packages you selected to remove, they will be automatically added to the list of packages to be removed. Click the Show Details button to view the list of packages to be removed.

Figure 19-4. Package Removal Summary

Click Continue to start the removal process. When it is finished, an Update Complete message will appear.

Tip

You can combine the installation and removal of packages by selecting package groups/packages to be installed or removed and then by clicking Update. The Completed System Preparation window will display the number of packages to be installed and removed.