pkgenpack (1) Linux Manual Page
pkgenpack – PackageKit Pack Generator
Synopsis
- pkgenpack [–help] [–verbose] [–with-package-list] [–output] [–package] [–updates]
Description
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