Exploring the yum package manager
Plugins and Repositories
Yum has many extensions that you can install easily from the repository. When you download a file, for example, the Fastestmirror plugin performs a background search for the fastest mirror server. To install and enable the plugin, type yum install yum-fastestmirror.
If multiple mirrors are available, install the Priorities plugin, which lets you control the priorities of the individual repositories:
yum -y install yum-priorities
After giving this command, you will find a priorities.conf file in /etc/yum/pluginconf.d/:
[main] enabled = 1 check_obsoletes = 1
To avoid legal issues, Fedora only provides software available under a free license. The default Fedora repositories do not include proprietary programs or, for licensing reasons, many other free applications, such as mplayer. Fortunately, some of these programs are available through third-party suppliers.
The most popular repositories include Livna, RPMforge, Dribble, freshrpms, and ATrpms. In Fedora 10, Dribble, freshrpms, and Livna combined to form a single repository known as RPM Fusion [1]. The unofficial Fedora FAQ page [2] describes how to add Livna, or RPM Fusion, as package source; for Fedora 10, simply enter:
# rpm -Uvh http://rpm.livna.org/livna-release-10.rpm
The configuration files for the various repositories are stored in /etc/yum-repos.d/. In these configuration files, you can enable or disable individual repositories with the enabled=1 or enabled=0 entries. Most repository files include several entries, but typically you only need the top one.
After completing a standard Fedora installation, including the RPM Fusion repository, you will have three configuration files below /etc/yum.repos.d/: fedora.repo, fedora-updates.repo, and livna.repo. Just set the top lines to enabled=1 and the others to enabled = 0.
Alternatively, you can delete and disable all additional repository entries by typing:
# rpm -e yum-priorities yum-fedorafaq livna-release
The yum-priorities plugin mentioned earlier is used here. yum repolist gives you a list of all enabled repositories.
Upgrading with Yum
Yum lets you upgrade a Fedora system to the next version on the fly. Unfortunately, this option sometimes doesn't work properly and typically requires some manual attention.
If you do decide to rely on yum upgrading for you, start by flushing your yum cache and updating the package sources. Listing 4 gives a short overview of the steps required for upgrading to Fedora 11. You'll find a more detailed howto in the Fedora wiki [3].
Listing 4
Upgrading to Fedora 11
yum clean all rpm -Uhv ftp://download.fedora.redhat.com/pub/fedora/linux/releases/11/Fedora/i386/os/Packages/fedora-release-*.noarch.rpm yum upgrade
Package Groups
If you use Ubuntu and occasionally need to compile something, you will be familiar with the build-essential package. build-essential is not a Debian package in the strictest sense, but a meta package that automatically installs a software selection. Fedora has a similar feature but calls it package groups.
yum grouplist gives you a list of available package groups. Note the Development Tools group, which you can install by typing:
# yum -y groupinstall 'Development Tools'
If you want to install all the available games, or maybe all the available office programs, just pick the right category from the list and install as described above.
« Previous 1 2 3 Next »
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.