9 Installing Modules, Extensions, and Third Party Add-On Products
Abstract#
Modules and extensions add parts or functionality to the system. Modules are fully supported parts of SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop with a different life cycle and update timeline. They are a set of packages, have a clearly defined scope and are delivered via online channel only.
Extensions, such as the Workstation Extension or the High Availability Extension, add extra functionality to the system and require an own registration key that is liable for costs. Extensions are delivered via online channel or physical media. Registering at the SUSE Customer Center or a local registration server is a prerequisite for being able to subscribe to the online channels.
A list of modules and extensions for your product is available after having registered your system at SUSE Customer Center or a local registration server. If you skipped the registration step during the installation, you can register your system at any time using the module in YaST. For details, refer to Section 14.10, “Registering Your System”.
Some add-on products are also provided by third parties, for example,
binary-only drivers that are needed by certain hardware to function
properly. If you have such hardware, refer to the release notes for more
information about availability of binary drivers for your system. The
release notes are available from
http://www.suse.com/releasenotes/,
from YaST or from /usr/share/doc/release-notes/ in
your installed system.
9.1 Installing Modules and Extensions from Online Channels #
Tip: SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop
As of SUSE Linux Enterprise 12, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop is not only available as a separate product, but also as a Workstation Extension for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. If you register at the SUSE Customer Center, the Workstation Extension can be selected for installation. Note that installing it requires a valid registration key.
The following procedure requires that you have registered your system with SUSE Customer Center, or a local registration server. If you are in the process of registering your system, you will see a list of extensions and modules immediately after having completed Step 4 of Section 14.10, “Registering Your System”. In that case, skip the next steps and proceed with Step 3.
Procedure 9.1: Installing Add-ons and Extensions from Online Channels with YaST #
Start YaST and select › . Alternatively, start the YaST module from the command line with
sudo yast2 add-on.The dialog will show an overview of already installed add-on products, modules and extensions.
To add repositories from SUSE Customer Center (or a local registration server), select › .
YaST connects to the registration server and displays a list of .
Note: Available Extensions and Modules
The amount of available extensions and modules depends on the registration server. A local registration server may only offer update repositories and no additional extensions.
Click an entry to see its description.
Select one or multiple entries for installation by activating their check marks.
Figure 9.1: Installation of System Extensions #
Click to proceed.
Depending on the repositories to be added for the extension or module, you may be asked if you want to import the GPG key with which the repository is signed or asked to agree to a license.
After confirming these messages, YaST will download and parse the metadata. The repositories for the selected extensions will be added to your system—no additional installation sources are required.
If needed, adjust the repository as described in Section 8.3.2, “Managing Repository Properties”.
9.2 Installing Extensions and Third Party Add-On Products from Media #
When installing an extension or add-on product from media, you can select various types of product media, like DVD/CD, removable mass storage devices (such as flash disks), or a local directory or ISO image. The media can also be provided by a network server, for example, via HTTP, FTP, NFS, or Samba.
Start YaST and select › . Alternatively, start the YaST module from the command line with
sudo yast2 add-on.The dialog will show an overview of already installed add-on products, modules and extensions.
Figure 9.2: List of Installed Add-on Products, Modules and Extensions #
Choose to install a new add-on product.
In the dialog, select the option that matches the type of medium from which you want to install:
Figure 9.3: Installation of an Add-on Product or an Extension #
To scan your network for installation servers announcing their services via SLP, select and click .
To add a repository from a removable medium, choose the relevant option and insert the medium or connect the USB device to the machine, respectively. Click to start the installation.
For the majority of media types, you will be asked to specify the path (or URL) to the media after selecting the respective option and clicking . Specifying a is optional. If none is specified, YaST will use the product name or the URL as the repository name.
The option is activated by default. If you deactivate the option, YaST will automatically download the files later, if needed.
Depending on the repository you have added, you may be asked if you want to import the GPG key with which it is signed or asked to agree to a license.
After confirming these messages, YaST will download and parse the metadata. It will add the repository to the list of .
If needed, adjust the repository as described in Section 8.3.2, “Managing Repository Properties”.
Confirm your changes with to close the configuration dialog.
After having successfully added the repository for the add-on media, the software manager starts and you can install packages. For details, refer to Chapter 8, Installing or Removing Software.
9.3 SUSE Software Development Kit (SDK) 12 SP2 #
SUSE Software Development Kit 12 SP2 is a module for SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 SP2. It is a complete tool kit for application development. In fact, to provide a comprehensive build system, SUSE Software Development Kit 12 SP2 includes all the open source tools that were used to build the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server product. It provides you as a developer, independent software vendor (ISV), or independent hardware vendor (IHV) with all the tools needed to port applications to all the platforms supported by SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
SUSE Software Development Kit also contains integrated development environments (IDEs), debuggers, code editors, and other related tools. It supports most major programming languages, including C, C++, Java, and most scripting languages. For your convenience, SUSE Software Development Kit includes multiple Perl packages that are not included in SUSE Linux Enterprise.
The SDK is a module for SUSE Linux Enterprise and is available via an online channel from
the SUSE Customer Center. Alternatively, go to
http://download.suse.com/, search for SUSE Linux Enterprise
Software Development Kit and download it from there. Refer to
Chapter 9, Installing Modules, Extensions, and Third Party Add-On Products for details.