Finding Upgradeable Packages

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 48 views

Understanding the `uptodate` Recurring Action

The uptodate recurring action is a crucial component of SUMULIMA/Uyuni, responsible for ensuring that clients are up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates. In this article, we will delve into the details of this action, exploring its functionality, prerequisites, and configuration options.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the specifics of the uptodate action, it's essential to understand the prerequisites for its execution. For SUSE-based systems, the action applies critical security patches by executing zypper --non-interactive patch --updatestack-only. This step is critical in ensuring the security and stability of the system.

Finding Upgradeable Packages

Once the security patches have been applied, the uptodate action proceeds to list all the remaining packages that can be upgraded. This step is crucial in identifying the packages that require updates, allowing SUMULIMA/Uyuni to plan and execute the necessary upgrades.

Package Upgrade

The next step in the uptodate action is to upgrade the packages to their latest available versions. This is achieved by using the system package manager, which varies depending on the operating system of the client. For Debian-based clients, such as Debian or Ubuntu, the action executes apt dist-upgrade -q -y $PACKAGES. For RPM-based clients that are not SUSE, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux or SUSE Liberty Linux, the action executes yum --quiet -y update $PACKAGES or dnf --quiet -y upgrade $PACKAGES (depending on what package manager the system is using).

Reboot if Necessary

Finally, if SUMULIMA/Uyuni detects that a reboot is necessary, it will automatically reboot the client. This step is critical in ensuring that the system is properly updated and configured.

Further Notes

Customers can configure which packages will not be updated by using pkg.hold. Customers should see [3] for more information.
For Debian-based systems, customers should understand that the package does dist-update and not update (since version 5.0.4). They can see man apt for more information. This is also described in [4].

Subject Matter Expert (SME)

The following individuals have been identified as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for this documentation:

@m-czernek
@juliogonzalez

Version

This documentation is applicable for all SUMULIMA/Uyuni versions.

References

Prerequisites for SUSE-based Systems

For SUSE-based systems, the uptodate action applies critical security patches by executing zypper --non-interactive patch --updatestack-only. This step is critical in ensuring the security and stability of the system.

Finding Upgradeable Packages for Debian-based Systems

For Debian-based systems, the uptodate action lists all the remaining packages that can be upgraded. This step is crucial in identifying the packages that require updates, allowing SUMULIMA/Uyuni to plan and execute the necessary upgrades.

Package Upgrade for RPM-based Clients

For RPM-based clients that are not SUSE, such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux or SUSE Liberty Linux, the uptodate action executes yum --quiet -y update $PACKAGES or dnf --quiet -y upgrade $PACKAGES (depending on what package manager the system is using).

Reboot if Necessary for Debian-based Systems

For Debian-based systems, if SUMULIMA/Uyuni detects that a reboot is necessary, it will automatically reboot the client. This step is critical in ensuring that the system is properly updated and configured.

Further Notes for Customers

Customers can configure which packages will not be updated by using pkg.hold. Customers should see [3] for more information.
For Debian-based systems, customers should understand that the package does dist-update and not update (since version 5.0.4). They can see man apt for more information. This is also described in [4].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the uptodate Recurring Action Update Command =====================================================================================

Q: What is the purpose of the `uptodate` recurring action update command?

A: The uptodate recurring action update command is used to ensure that clients are up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates. It applies critical security patches, lists upgradeable packages, upgrades packages to their latest available versions, and reboots the client if necessary.

Q: What are the prerequisites for the `uptodate` action?

A: The prerequisites for the uptodate action include applying critical security patches by executing zypper --non-interactive patch --updatestack-only for SUSE-based systems.

Q: How does the `uptodate` action find upgradeable packages?

A: The uptodate action lists all the remaining packages that can be upgraded. This step is crucial in identifying the packages that require updates, allowing SUMULIMA/Uyuni to plan and execute the necessary upgrades.

Q: How does the `uptodate` action upgrade packages?

A: The uptodate action upgrades packages to their latest available versions using the system package manager. The package manager used varies depending on the operating system of the client.

Q: What happens if SUMULIMA/Uyuni detects that a reboot is necessary?

A: If SUMULIMA/Uyuni detects that a reboot is necessary, it will automatically reboot the client. This step is critical in ensuring that the system is properly updated and configured.

Q: Can customers configure which packages will not be updated?

A: Yes, customers can configure which packages will not be updated by using pkg.hold. Customers should see [3] for more information.

Q: What is the difference between `dist-update` and `update` for Debian-based systems?

A: For Debian-based systems, the package does dist-update and not update (since version 5.0.4). Customers should see man apt for more information. This is also described in [4].

Q: Who are the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for this documentation?

A: The following individuals have been identified as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for this documentation:

@m-czernek
@juliogonzalez

Q: What is the version of this documentation?

A: This documentation is applicable for all SUMULIMA/Uyuni versions.

Additional FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the uptodate recurring action update command? A: The uptodate recurring action update command is used to ensure that clients are up-to-date with the latest security patches and software updates.
Q: How does the uptodate action apply critical security patches? A: The uptodate action applies critical security patches by executing zypper --non-interactive patch --updatestack-only for SUSE-based systems.
Q: Can the uptodate action be customized? A: Yes, customers can configure which packages will not be updated by using pkg.hold. Customers should see [3] for more information.
Q: What is the difference between dist-update and update for Debian-based systems? A: For Debian-based systems, the package does dist-update and not update (since version 5.0.4). Customers should see man apt for more information. This is also described in [4].