How to use a package management system to install, update, and remove software in Linux distribution

Packages are used to package software for linux, like an installer
Some package formats:

• Ubuntu – deb/dpkg
• Red Hat – RPM and YUM
• Solaris – pkgadd

What is a package management system?

• Set of tools/utilities to make it easier to install, upgrade, remove and configure software packages.
• Typically connect to the internet and download packages from remote servers

Why are some better than others?

• Package managers that do not recursively get dependencies are more difficult to use.

Ubuntu uses APT (Advanced Packaging Tool)

• Synaptic and aptitude are Front End interfaces
• Synaptic has GUI
• aptitude has text based GUI

APT uses /etc/apt/sources.list to list which servers to download the packages from

• Can add more servers and more packages
• Can setup your own repositories (repos) for package distribution - this is a must in high security environments

There are 3 steps to installing software on Ubuntu

First step, always update your sources:

• apt-get update

Second step, apply upgrades

• apt-get upgrade

Third step, install whatever you want:

• apt-get install "package name" such as apt-get install openssh-server

Red Hat uses YUM

YUM uses /etc/yum.repos.d/ to list which servers to download the packages from

• Can add more servers and more packages
• Can setup your own repositories (repos) for package distribution - this is a must in high security environments

There are 2 steps to installing software on Red Hat

First step, always update your sources:

• yum update

Second step, install whatever you want:

• yum install "package name" such as yum install openssh-server