Updating Your Penguin

Many members are trying Linux, or at least thinking about it, and Mandriva is arguably the easiest introduction. To help satisfy this interest the three-CD download version of Mandriva Linux LE2005 and a CD of updates is now available to members with the Monthly CD. Installing Linux is only half the job in preparing to use it - it still needs updating, preferably before you go online, so we'll be looking at doing how to do this from the CD and then keeping up-to-date from online sources.

But This Is Linux?!

All operating systems, Linux included, have security issues, bug fixes and updates, and while Linux suffers considerably less than Microsoft Windows from malware (viruses, worms, etc.), there is always the possibility.

With Mandriva you get more than just an operating system - you get a comprehensive range of software to meet most of your computing needs. As installed this is all covered by the updates as well, resulting in a large download - fortunately avoidable by obtaining the CD of updates from Melb PC, making it easy to keep up- to-date, even if you use dial-up.

Mandriva Software Management

Most Linux distributions use "packages" to install software - this is analogous to installing software in Windows, and while they do make it quicker, easier and far more manageable for the average user, they remove flexibility in installation.

Mandriva uses the RPM package format and comes with a very useful tool to manage them - "urpmi" (User RPM Installation). Like many Linux tools, urpmi can be used from the command line and via the graphical interface (GUI) that we'll be using here.

Unlike Windows which has a single source of updates, Mandriva updates are available from many sources or mirrors, and urpmi needs to be configured to use a particular source. Firstly we'll be using the updates CD as the source and then changing to an online source that is peered with Melb PC and WestNet, reducing costs to Melb PC and meaning the data doesn't count against charged data usage for WestNet ADSL users - in other words it's "free".

Updating From CD
Configuring urpmi to source updates from the CD and install them

Please note the convention for quote marks (" ") and leave them out when entering a command. Also note that Linux is case sensitive - eg. RPMS is not the same as RPMs.

1. Log in to your account (not root) and start the GUI with the command "startx" if it's not already running

2. Start the Mandriva Control Centre (Figure 1 or 2) or open a terminal window (Figure 1 or 2) and enter the command "drakconf". Enter the root password when prompted

Figure 1. GNOME: Mandriva Control Centre and terminal window icons.	Figure 2. KDE: terminal window icon.

3. Click "Software Management" then "Select from where software packages...."

4. Insert the updates CD

5. Click "Add custom...", select "Removable device", in the Name area enter "CD updates" and in the Path or mount point area enter "/mnt/cdrom/RPMS". Click "OK".

6. Close Mandriva Control Centre.

7. Open a terminal window (Figure 1 or 2), enter the command "su" and then your root password when prompted

8. Enter the following command "urpmi --auto-select"

9. You'll be presented with a long list of updates to be installed - press "y" to accept.

Updating From Online Sources
Changing the updates source from CD to Online

As we'll be going online now is a good time to start the Mandriva firewall if it isn't running - Mandriva Control Centre, Security. Ensure nothing is ticked - this will allow normal Internet activity.

1. Start the Mandriva Control Centre (as before)

2. Click "Software Management" then "Select from where software packages...."

3. Click "Add...", "Official updates" and click "Yes" when it asks to contact the Mandrakesoft website.

4. Select Australia and choose a mirror.pacific.net.au source (http or ftp).

5. In "Software Management" check for updates - click "Look at available updates...." and click "Yes" to check the mirror. Select the updates you wish to install from the list - usually all of them. The updates could take some time.

Your system is now up-to-date, except for one major item, the kernel, which will be dealt with later. Make checking for updates part of your regular routine - at least weekly.

Adding Other Media Sources

It's not essential you add these but I recommend it for completeness - making it easier to install additional packages directly from the mirror server using urpmi.

1. Start the Mandriva Control Centre (as before)

2. Click "Software Management" then "Select from where software packages...."

3. Click "Add...", "Distribution sources" and click "Yes" when it asks to contact the Mandrakesoft website.

4. Select Australia and choose a mirror.pacific.net.au source (http or ftp).

The urpmi system doesn't cover software installed outside of its knowledge. For instance if you download and install the latest version of Firefox direct from Mozilla, it isn't included in future updates, so must be updated manually.

Kernel Updates

One very important component of your system not updated by Mandriva Control Centre is the kernel. The kernel is the core of any operating system and requires special handling because a mistake could render your system unusable.

Details of kernel (and other) updates can be found on this page and should be checked regularly, at least weekly: http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?dis=10.2

There is a kernel update on the updates CD so use that at step 2 instead of downloading, provided it is the most recent.

To update:
1. Read the relevant advisory on the above site and identify the file you require. Make sure you choose Mandriva LE2005 and a 2.6 series kernel - the file name will look like this: "kernel-2.6.11.6mdk-1-1mdk.i586.rpm". Select a version to match that already installed - the command "urpmi -r" will show this.

2. Download the required file from the Pacific.net mirror "http://mirror.pacific.net.au/linux/Mandriva-Linux/official/updates/LE2005/RPMS/" or use the appropriate kernel from the CD

3. Open the new kernel RPM with "kpackage". The default installation doesn't have it so log on as root, install kpackage with the command "urpmi kpackage". You'll need the "other" sources configured as described previously and note it will also install several dependencies or required packages.

4. Install the kernel - it will be automatically installed as the default kernel, but the old one will still be available in case of difficulty

5. Reboot and all being well your system will restart normally

6. If it fails, reboot and select the old kernel in the bootloader - it will be something like "2611-6".

Your system is now completely up to date, congratulations! Let's keep it that way - be responsible and continue to update, because it protects not only your system, but other users too. Check the author's Web pages for errata http://member.melbpc.org.au/~parsonsd/linux/linux.html.

Topics to be covered in a future article will include discussing the various methods of software installation -the pros, cons, how to and practical examples of installing from packages and source code, plus assorted tips to help make life easier in using Linux.

About the Author
Dennis Parsons has been a penguin fancier for five years and hopes his new daughter will like them too. Thanks to Roger Brown for his suggestions.

First published in the September 2004 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

For more Linux related information go to Melb PC Linux Links