3.3 Keeping the System Up-to-date
openSUSE
offers a continuous stream of software security patches for your product.
The openSUSE Updater applet informs you about the availability of patches and
lets you easily install them with just a few clicks.
The openSUSE community also provides updates to newer
versions of software packages. openSUSE Updater optionally keeps a list of all
programs installed on your system and informs you whenever newer versions
are available. Whats more, openSUSE Updater can also search for and install new
drivers when new hardware is attached.
NOTE: Patches vs. New Versions
The patches offered by openSUSE either fix security holes or serious
errors in the software. A patch normally does not upgrade to a newer
version and does not offer additional functionality. A new program
version offered by the community may offer fixes, too, but primarily adds
new functionality.
The openSUSE Updater applet resides in the system tray (KDE) of your panel or in
the notification area (GNOME) as an icon depicting the head of the
openSUSE mascot (Geeko), which changes depending on the availability and
relevance of patches and the status of openSUSE Updater. Whenever the icon
changes, a tool tip displaying the current status is shown, too.
- Green Geeko Head with Green Arrows
-
No patches available. When new versions are available, a tool tip
appears when the mouse is moved over the icon.
- Green Geeko Head with Yellow Arrows (KDE) / Gray Geeko (GNOME)
-
openSUSE Updater is busy (for example checking for updates, installing
software).
- Red Triangle with Exclamation Mark
-
Security patches available.
- Orange Star with Arrow
-
Recommended or optional patches are available.
- Yellow Triangle with Exclamation Mark
-
An error occurred.
- Blue Circle with Question Mark
-
No update repository is defined. When you click the openSUSE Updater in this
state, you are asked whether to check for updates. If you agree, the
YaST module is
started.
3.3.1 Installing Patches
Whenever the openSUSE Updater icon shows the availability of patches, left-click
to open the software installation window. It lists the number of
Security and Recommended patches
available. While the security patches are installed by default, you can
choose whether to install the recommended ones as well. Some patches,
such as new kernel versions, require to restart your computer. Check
to skip
these updates for now. Start updating your system by clicking
.
A click on opens the Available
Updates window which shows a detailed list of all patches
and allows you to alter the selection of packages that will be installed.
Apart from the patch name the (Security,
Recommended or Optional), a short and the
patch version number is shown. Patches are sorted alphabetically by
default—change this by clicking on a column headline
(, ,
, ,
, or ). Click
to proceed.
You will be prompted for the
root password after having
proceeded with . openSUSE Updater performs the
installation of the patches. See the system tray (KDE) or the
notification area (GNOME) for status messages and a progress meter.
The YaST Online Update offers advanced features to customize the patch
installation. Please refer to Section 5.0, YaST Online Update,
(↑ Reference )
for more information.
3.3.2 Installing New Software Versions
New software versions are available from software repositories provided
by the openSUSE community. By default, no such repositories are
preconfigured. To add a repository, right-click on the openSUSE Updater icon and
choose . You need to enter
the root password to start the module. A list from which you
can choose popular community repositories is already preconfigured
(), for even more community
repositories refer to
https://en.opensuse.org/Additional_YaST_Package_Repositories.
WARNING: Trusting External Software Sources
Before adding external software repositories to your list of
repositories make sure this repository can be trusted. openSUSE is
not responsible for any potential problems arising from software
installed from third party software repositories.
openSUSE Updater does not monitor repositories for new software versions by
default. To enable this feature, open the configuration window as
described in Section 3.3.3, Configuring openSUSE Updater and tick the check box
check box. When the openSUSE Updater icon indicates the availability of updates,
click on the icon to launch the software installation window. Click on
and then on the tab
to open the list with new software versions. Either select single
packages by checking the box in front of an entry, or click
. starts
the installation of the selected software packages. You will be prompted
for the root password. See the system tray (KDE) or the
notification area (GNOME) for status messages and a progress meter.
3.3.3 Configuring openSUSE Updater
By default openSUSE Updater is started on login, checks for updates every 24
hours, shows recurring notifications every 60 minutes and only monitors
the availability of patches. To change this behavior, right-click the
applet icon and choose .
The configuration dialog also offers to change the following settings:
-
-
Choose between different back-ends. The is used by default. If you prefer the , make sure the package
kde4-kupdateapplet-zypp is installed.
-
-
Activate this option when you prefer the detailed patch view that
lists all patches available with short summaries rather than the
simple view.
-
-
Prohibits checking for updates when running on batteries in order to
save power. This option is activated by default but only affects
mobile computers.
-
-
Prohibits checking for updates when the system is under heavy load.
This option is activated by default.
-
-
Provided a repository offering appropriate drivers, openSUSE Updater can
automatically install drivers for hardware such as USB devices.
