openSUSE offers a continuous stream of software security patches for your product. The updater applet informs you about the availability of patches and lets you easily install them with just a few clicks.
The openSUSE community also provides updates to newer versions of software packages. The updater applet optionally keeps a list of all programs installed on your system and informs you whenever newer versions are available. The updater can also search for and install new drivers when new hardware is attached.
![[Note]](admon/note.png) | Patches vs. New Versions |
|---|---|
The patches offered by openSUSE either fix security holes or serious errors in the software. A patch normally does not upgrade to a newer version and does not offer additional functionality. A new program version offered by the community may offer fixes, too, but primarily adds new functionality. | |
The Online Update Applet resides in the system tray of your panel depicting the head of the SUSE mascot (Geeko), which changes depending on the availability and relevance of patches and the status of the updater. Whenever the icon changes, a notification displaying the current status is shown, too. The applet is started by default. Choose +++ from the main menu to manually start it.
Online Update Applet Icon Status
- Green Geeko Head with Green Arrows
No patches available. When new versions are available, a tool tip appears when the mouse is moved over the icon.
- Green Geeko Head with Yellow Arrows
The updater applet is busy (for example checking for updates, installing software).
- Red Triangle with Exclamation Mark
Security patches available.
- Orange Star with Arrow
Recommended patches are available.
- Blue square with Arrow
Optional patches are available.
- Yellow Triangle with Exclamation Mark
An error has occurred.
- Blue Circle with Question Mark
No update repository is defined. When you click the updater applet in this state, you are asked if you want to check for updates. If you agree, the YaST module is started.
The Online Update Applet offers two modes for installing patches: the simple installation mode will automatically install all security and recommended patches, while the detailed mode lets you choose which patches to install.
Procedure 3.6. Installing Patches: Simple Mode
Whenever the update applet shows the availability of patches, left-click to open the software installation window.
Choose whether to skip the installation of patches that are recommended and those that require a restart. It is recommended to install both.
Click to start the patch installation.
In case you have started the patch installation for the first time, you will be asked to enter the
rootpassword in order to proceed. If you also check you will never be asked again to provide the password.You can monitor the installation status by hovering the mouse over the update applet icon.
Procedure 3.7. Installing Patches: Detailed Mode
Whenever the update applet shows the availability of patches, left-click to open the software installation window.
A detailed list of all patches is shown. Click on a patch name for more information. Select or de-select a patch by clicking its checkbox. By default, security and recommended patches are pre-selected.
Click to start the patch installation.
In case you have started the patch installation for the first time, you will be asked to enter the
rootpassword in order to proceed. If you also check you will never be asked again to provide the password.You can monitor the installation status by hovering the mouse over the update applet icon.
New software versions are available from software repositories provided
by the openSUSE community. By default, no such repositories are
preconfigured. To add a repository, right-click on the updater icon and
choose . You need to enter
the root password to start the module. A list from which you
can choose popular community repositories is already preconfigured
(+), for even more community
repositories refer to
http://en.opensuse.org/Additional_YaST_Package_Repositories.
![[Warning]](admon/warning.png) | Trusting External Software Sources |
|---|---|
Before adding external software repositories to your list of repositories make sure this repository can be trusted. openSUSE is not responsible for any potential problems arising from software installed from third party software repositories. | |
The updater applet does not monitor repositories for new software
versions by default. To enable this feature, open the configuration
window as described in Section 3.3.1.3, “Configuring the Updater Applet” and tick
the check box check box. When the updater icon indicates the
availability of updates, click on the icon to launch the software
installation window. Click on and then on the
tab to open the list with new software
versions. Either select single packages by checking the box in front of
an entry, or click .
starts the installation of the selected
software packages. You will be prompted for the root password. See
the system tray (KDE) or the notification area (GNOME) for status
messages and a progress meter.
By default, the updater is started on login, checks for updates every 24 hours, shows recurring notifications every 60 minutes and monitors the availability of patches. To change this behavior, right-click the applet icon and choose .
The configuration dialog also offers to change the following settings:
Choose between different back-ends. The is used by default. If you prefer the , make sure to install the package
kupdateapplet-zypp.Activate this option when you prefer the detailed patch view that lists all patches available with short summaries rather than the simple view.
Prohibits checking for updates when running on batteries in order to save power. This option is activated by default but only affects mobile computers.
Prohibits checking for updates when the system is under heavy load. This option is activated by default.
Provided a repository offering appropriate drivers, the updater can automatically install drivers for hardware such as USB devices.
The updater applet resides in the notification area of your panel. Its icon changes depending on the availability and relevance of patches and the status of the updater. The applet is started by default, choose +++ to start it manually.
| Icon visibility |
|---|---|
By default, the updater applet icon is only visible in the notification area, if patches are available. | |
- Open box with a globe
The updater is busy (for example checking for updates or installing software).
- Red Star with Exclamation Mark
Security patches are available.
- Orange Star with an Up Arrow
Important patches are available.
- Yellow Star with a Down Arrow
Trivial patches are available.
- Yellow Triangle with Exclamation Mark
An error has occurred.
The Software Update Applet offers two modes for installing patches: the simple installation mode will automatically install all security patches. Important or trivial patches can be installed with the the detailed mode, which lets you also choose which patches to install.
Procedure 3.8. Installing Patches: Simple Mode
Whenever new patches are available, a notification message listing the updates available will appear. Click on to start the installation of all security patches available.
Enter the
rootpassword in the authentication screen and proceed with .
Procedure 3.9. Installing Patches: Detailed Mode
Whenever new patches are available, a notification message listing the updates available will appear. Click on to open the Software Update window. If you have already closed the notification message, you can also left click the Software Update icon and choose .
A detailed list of all patches is shown. Click on a patch name for more information, such as a description, version number, repository, and (if available) a link to bugzilla, the Novell bug tracking system. Select or de-select a patch by clicking its checkbox. By default, all patches are pre-selected.
Click to start the patch installation.
Enter the
rootpassword in the authentication screen and proceed with .
To configure the updater applet, right-click the updater icon in the panel and choose . The configuration dialog lets you modify the following settings:
Choose how often a check for updates is performed: , , , or .
Configure whether patches are installed automatically or not (default). Automatic installation can be chosen for either security patches only or for all patches.
Choose how often a check for major upgrades is performed: , , or .
- Check for updates when using mobile broadband
By default the updater does not check for updates when using mobile broadband. Check this option if you want to perform update checks when using mobile broadband.
