5.23. Installing and Removing Packages on AsteriskNOW

Problem

Even though AsteriskNOW runs on Linux, it's not the Linux you know. It looks somewhat like Red Hat, but there are no RPM or Yum commands for installing and removing packages. It uses the familiar Bash shell, and /bin and /sbin contain all the familiar Linux commands. So, how do you manage the software?

Solution

AsteriskNOW uses rPath Linux, which is a specialized Linux distribution designed for building software appliances like AsteriskNOW. It's designed to be easily customizable and efficient, containing only the packages needed to run your appliance. It uses the Conary build system, which includes custom package repositories and commands.

These commands show short and extended help lists:

	[admin@localhost ~]$ conary
	[admin@localhost ~]$ conary help

You can see a list of all packages installed on your system:

	[admin@localhost ~]$ conary query | less

grep helps you find a specific installed program:

	[admin@localhost ~]$ conary query | grep speex
	speex=1.1.10-2-0.1

Get information on an installed package:

	admin@localhost ~]$ conary q speex --info

Conary calls dependencies and related packages troves. View installed troves with this command:

	admin@localhost ~]$ conary q speex --troves

This command shows all troves, including those that are not installed:

	[admin@localhost ~]$ conary q speex --all-troves

This command displays dependencies:

	[admin@localhost ~]$ conary q speex --deps

You can see what is available to install:

	[admin@localhost ~]$ conary rq | less

This command installs a new package or updates an installed package:

	[admin@localhost ~]# conary update [packagename]

This command removes a package:

	[admin@localhost ~]# conary erase [packagename]

This command updates the whole system:

	[admin@localhost ~]# conary updateall

Discussion

The rPath web control panel controls network configuration, backups, system updates, admin password, and the time and date. You'll need the CLI commands for everything else.

See Also