Upgrading Software

New software packages can be added simply by installing the RPMS into the central repository and adding them to the appropriate configuration file. They will then be installed onto all the corresponding machines overnight. Upgrading a package usually involves no more than copying the new version of the RPM into the repository (assuming the specification contains a wildcard).

To upgrade the operating system, a new set of base RPMs and an install floppy are needed. Once these have been prepared, hosts can be updated simply be changing the LCFG file to refer to the new class file and rebuilding the system by booting off the install floppy. The host will then rebuild with the new OS, but retaining any customised configuration previously in use. Changes in the operating system itself may require changes to some of the resources, however, the abstract nature of the resource means that such changes can often be avoided by changing the way in which the subsystem script interprets the resource.