Redhat: Package Manager

Redhat Package Manager

Software management is one of the major parts of system admin. New packages need to be installed, current packages updated and new patches applied.

Redhat Provides a number of tools to determine what is currently installed on the system, manage dependencies and check for updates.

The Redhat Package Manager (RPM) was designed for these purposes. An RPM manages software as discreate packages. Each package contain the files and instructions required to install or update the software.

The RPM system when used correctly backs up the configuration files when updating packages. However it cannot help to install dependencies. This is why the yum command was created.

Packages

A package is simply a container for files. Specifically a group of files relating to a piece of software to be installed.

The name of the RPM package includes the name, version, release and architecture.

Redhat Packages

The RPM database is at the center of the RPM system. The database keeps track of all packages and versions. It also keeps track of all files relating to the RPM and allows the administrator to check is any files have been edited.

RPM will also manage conflicts and dependencies between packages.