Red Hat NETWORK WORKGROUP, User Reference Manual

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Chapter 4. Red Hat Update Agent
After configuring the settings for the Red Hat Update Agent using the instructions in Chap-
ter 3, you can use the Red Hat Update Agent to retrieve the latest software packages from
Red Hat. Using this tool will allow you to always have the most up-to-date Red Hat Linux
system with all security patches, bug fixes, and software package enhancements.
Remember that you can not use the
Red Hat Update Agent on the system is entitled to an
RHN service offering.
If you are not running the X Window System or prefer the command-line version of the
Red
Hat Update Agent , skip to Section 4.6.
4.1. Starting the Red Hat Update Agent
You must be root to run the Red Hat Update Agent . If you start the Red Hat Update Agent
as a standard user, you will be prompted to enter the root password before proceeding. The
Red Hat Update Agent can be started using one of the following methods:
•
On the GNOME desktop, go to the
Main Menu Button
(on the Panel) =>
Programs
=>
System => Update Agent
•
On the KDE desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => Red Hat => Update
Agent
•
Type the command
up2date
at a shell prompt (for example, an xterm or gnome-terminal)
If you choose the last option and start the application from a shell prompt, you can specify
the options in Table 4-1 to the Red Hat Update Agent .
For example, use the following command to specify the directory in which to download the
updated packages:
up2date --tmpdir=/tmp/up2date
Table 4-1. Graphical Update Agent Options
Argument Description
--configure Configure Red Hat Update Agent options. This is
equivalent to running the Red Hat Update Agent
Configuration Tool (
up2date-config
).
-d, --download Download packages only, do not install them. This
argument will override the configuraton option Do not
install packages after retrieval. Use this option if you
prefer to install the packages manually.
-f, --force Force package installation. This option overrides the file,
package, and configuration skip lists.
-i, --install Install packages after they are downloaded. This argument
will override the configuraton option Do not install
packages after retrieval.
-k, --packagedir Specify a colon separated path of directories to look for
packages before trying to download them.
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