Kanotix Update

Kanotix 2005-04 Manual

5 Kanotix Update

Due to the fact that Kanotix is a Debian based distribution, the Debian package tools are used. The tool apt-get is useful to install and update single programs. Moreover the system can be updated with "apt-get dist-upgrade". The package sources are listed in the sources.list (to be found under /etc/apt/sources.list). APT is a command line driven tool. But there are also tools with a graphical interface. These tools are described later.

Next we will describe the installation of new program versions/packages and an update of the complete system.

In the appendix you will find a method for installing a new Kanotix version over an existing one, but where you keep your home directory entries (see below Update-Installation).

Note

apt-get is very powerful command line tool. Type in the location bar of the Konqueror "man:/apt-get" to see what it can do for you. If you prefer the console type there "man apt-get".

It's important to understand that such steps require rootpermission. So be sure you know what you are doing!

apt-get can be used to install programs. The command is "apt-get install PROGRAM NAME".

apt-get can be used to uninstall programs. The command is "aptget remove PROGRAM NAME". IF you want to remove it completely, for example when you tested a program an don't need it anymore, type "apt-get remove --purge PROGRAM NAME". You can leave the console by typing "exit".

5.1 Installation and updates of programs with KPackage

KPackage is a KDE tool for installing/uninstalling packages using a graphical interface (an application is called package in this context). We will use the "Kanotix-Update-GUI" as an example how to install new programs with KPackage.

At first we need to add a new package source in the source list for downloading and installing a program. Therefore we open /etc/apt/sources.list with root permission in an editor and add the following lines to the source list.

# Loibls Scripte

deb http://www.andreas-loibl.de/linux/debian/ ./

Then save the file.

Afterwards open KPackage (K-menu - System - "KPackage (Package Manager)" or via "alt + F2 + kpackage"). At first all package information will be updated. This may take a while, depending on your internet connection. Then enter in the search field "kanotix-update-gui". Now only packages which contain the name or description of the entered item will be shown.

If you now select the package in the "selection window", some essential information will be presented in the right window. An "N" before the package name means that the program is not installed. To pencil in the program just push on the little circle behind the program name which will change to a green tick.

Now click in the bottom bar "Install selected packages" and in the following tab "Install". Then enter the root password. The corresponding packages will be downloaded and installed. You can follow this process in the right window. At the end of the installation, push the "finish" button. The "N" in front of the package name will be changed to a "D" (Debian) and confirms that the package is installed. Newer packages will be represented with an "U" (Update) ahead of the package name.

Before the "real" installation you can also simulate an installation to see if there are unsolved package dependencies (s. also Dist-Upgrade). By doing this you can see if an installation runs without problems. Just click the little box by ?Test ? in the installation window and then "Install". Now you can see in the right window among other things the hint that certain packages need to be removed due to package dependencies. As it is only an installation "Test" nothing is changed on your system and KPackage can be finished without any problems.

After a successful installation you will find the "Kanotix-Update-GUI" in the K-menu under System.

5.2 Dist-Upgrade and Kernel-Update with the Kanotix-Update-GUI

The good thing about Linux and Kanotix is that you do not have to install the latest version by force if you want to keep your system up to date. Kanotix comes along with a convenient dialogue based tool for this task:

The Kanotix-Update-GUI (KUGUI). Both a DistUpgrade and a KernelUpdate you need an internet connection!

When you start the KUGUI you have several options to choose.

5.2.1 Dist-Upgrade

A note in advance: a Dist-Upgrade can also be done with Synaptic but it's not recommended! The reason is that also packages like the desktop environment (KDE) and the X-server would be updated while they are running! Therefore it's better to stop KDE and X-server, which is done automatically by the KUGUI. An other advantage is that the KUGUI prevents the installation of new services with a so called "freeze protocol". This means that your system runs the same amount of processes as before.

To do the DistUpgrade choose entry 2 "Dist-Upgrade" and confirm by pushing the "Ok" button. The Dist-Upgrade will be performed semi automatically in in several steps in the console. This means the KDE and the X-server will be shut down so don't be worried when this happens. Before each step a short info text informs what happens next. After you have read it just push "Ok" if you consent. At the end will your KDE session be restarted automatically.

Attention! The more time elapses between a Dist-Upgrade the more likely you must expect some trouble. Among other things this is due to the nature of Debian Sid, the base of Kanotix. Unsolved dependencies or ?wrong naming? between single packages occur from time to time. And there are also bigger transpositions in the Debian repositories, for example, when all packages are newly recompiled new with a newer version of the GCC-Compiler. Information about this can be found on Debian Weekly News or in the Kanotix-Forum. In this case it is also advisable to wait for a newer Kanotix version and to do a "Update-Installation" or to update only some single programs (5.1).

5.2.2 Kernel-Update

The core of any Linux operating system is the socalled Kernel which is constantly updated and enriched with new functionality. In particular, adaptations for new hardware are implemented and security leaks are fixed. Therefore it's recommended to update the Kernel regularly.

You can see all available Kernels during the system start in the GRUB-screen which are read from the file menu.lst. This file is located in /boot/grub/. The Kanotix-Update-GUI updates the menu.lst after the update. This means the new Kernel will be placed as first entry. But the old entries will remain so that you also load the older kernels via GRUB if you observe problems after the update!

To install the current Kernel choose entry 1 "Kernel-Update" in the KUGUI. Confirm the inquiry "Search automatically for the latest Kernel" with "Yes" . A list of all available Kernels will be presented. The most current Kernel (Kernel-kanotix-current) is preselected. Push again "Ok" and confirm the following inquiry with "Yes". Then this Kernel will be downloaded and installed. The installation runs from the console so no need to be worried when the KDE shuts down. Confirm all coming inquiries. Furthermore the Kanotix-scripts will be updated if there are newer versions on the server.

At the end of the Kernel installation and a reboot Kanotix-Update-GUI performs several configurations. The current scripts for the installation of the graphic card drivers will be started. If your system is not online in this moment, an internet connection set up by the KUGUI. There is also the possibility to take over an already existing Boot splash for the new Kernel. However, this feature is still in experimental stage and applies to advanced users.

This is the right place to wish you:

Have a lot of fun with Kanotix!

5.3 Installation of a new Kanotix version while keeping the system configuration: Update-Installation

These instructions apply to advanced users!

With the aid of the Kanotix installer it's possible to install a newer Kanotix version while keeping your personal system settings. (e. g. entries in a separate /home directory). It's not an online update! You'll need the latest Kanotix-CD which you start in "live mode". Start the Kanotix-installer from the Kanotixmenu in the control bar. Therefore use push on the arrow over fish symbol and choose the entry in the submenu. Now choose the option "Update-Installation" in the first window of the installer and then push the next button. The window Update-installation appears.

Next check if the installation data for the root partition and the boot manager are correct. If necessary change them. In the window of "Diese Pfade vom Update ausnehmen" certain paths are chosen by default which will be saved before the update like /home, /var (with some exceptions) and some entries from /etc and then restored after the update. If you want to save directories or data which are not listed you need to enter the corresponding paths in the list, because everything else on the root partition will be deleted! If you have installed a program e. g. in /opt/ "program name" then just /opt/"program name" needs to be added at the end of the list and the corresponding data will be maintained.

Otherwise the folder will be deleted during the update! So again we advise to make a backup of important data before you proceed!

Also, program packages which are not on the "live-CD" will be deleted. This includes those packages which were additionally added to the existing installation by the user. For a convenient reinstallation save the list of programs/packages in /root/old-packages-YYYYMMDD-HHMM.txt which can be used to reinstall all packages with apt-get after the update installation:

apt-get install $(</root/old-packages-20051221-2030.txt)

With one click on "Update" you can start the update-installation which will be performed in the console. Finally the last inquiry asks you if you really want to do the update installation.

Be sure about what you do because the process is irreversible!