pkgenpack (1) - Linux Manuals

pkgenpack is the command line client for PackageKit for creating service packs.

WHAT IS A SERVICE PACK?

A service pack is a tarball which contains a set of packages and their dependencies. The user can reduce the dependencies to be packed using the --with-package-list option. Along with the dependencies, a service pack has a file named metadata.conf which contains the information about the distribution and creation date of the pack.

CREATING A SERVICE PACK?

A service pack is created using the command pkgenpack.

OPTIONS

This program follows the usual GNU command line syntax, with long options starting with two dashes (`-'). A summary of options is included below.

--help

Show summary of options.

--verbose

Show extra debugging information.

--with-package-list

Set the filename of dependencies to be excluded.

Generally, the file list of packages is generated when doing a PackageKit refresh on the target system. If not specified, pkgenpack uses /var/lib/PackageKit/system.package-list by default.

--output

The directory to put the pack file, or the current directory if omitted.

--package

The package to be put into the ServicePack.

--update

Put all updates available in the ServicePack.

NAMING A SERVICE PACK

The only valid extension for a service pack is ".servicepack".

EXAMPLES

1. Tim is facing problems with his Internet connection at home. He needs a service pack with valgrind and it's dependencies for his system. He asks James to generate a pack for him. Both know James's system should contain similar packages as Tim's system, as both of them have installed Fedora 9 two days ago.

James simply runs:

[james [at] jamesbook:~]$ pkgenpack --output=/media/USB/TimPacks --package=valgrind

This generates a file /media/USB/TimPacks/valgrind-fedora-9-i686.servicepack on the USB key Tim gave to James. Tim can now go home, insert the USB key and double clicks on the valgrind-fedora-9-i686.servicepack file to be prompted to install these packages.

2. Bill wants to create a service pack named kdegames-fedora-9-i686.servicepack for his new system which does not have an internet connection. He generates a list of packages on his system using pkcon list-create and copies that list to his USB key. He then gives that USB to Rishi who has a good internet connectivity. Rishi runs the following command on his system:

[rishi [at] devils-temple:~]$ pkgenpack --with-package-list=/media/USB/bill.package-list \
                                   --output=/home/rishi/Desktop --program=kdegames

This generates a service pack, kdegames-fedora-9-i686.servicepack, on Rishi's Desktop, which can be distributed to Bill and users with similar requirements.

INSTALLING A SERVICE PACK

Service Packs can be installed using pkcon. For example:

[hacker [at] tim-lounge:~]$ pkcon install /media/USB/TimPacks/valgrind-fedora-9-i686.servicepack

AUTHOR

This manual page was written by Shishir Goel crazyontheedge [at] gmail.com and Richard Hughes richard [at] hughsie.com.

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