--- nav_order: 3 --- # Client administration {: .no_toc } 1. TOC {:toc} ## Administering an rpm-ostree based system At the moment, there are four primary commands to be familiar with on an `rpm-ostree` based system. Also remember that in a Project Atomic system, the `atomic host` command (from the [Atomic command](https://github.com/projectatomic/atomic/)) is an alias for `rpm-ostree`. ``` # rpm-ostree status ``` Will show you your deployments in the order in which they will appear in the bootloader, the first deployment in the list being the current default one. The `●` shows the currently booted deployment. ``` # rpm-ostree upgrade ``` Will perform a system upgrade, creating a *new* deployment (root filesystem) and set it as the default for the next boot. You should use `systemctl reboot` shortly afterwards. ``` # rpm-ostree rollback ``` This rolls back to the previous state, i.e. the default deployment changes places with the non-default one. By default, the `rpm-ostree upgrade` will keep at most two bootable "deployments", though the underlying technology supports more. ``` # rpm-ostree deploy ``` This command makes use of the server-side history feature of OSTree. It will search the history of the current branch for a commit with the specified version, and deploy it. This can be used in scripts to ensure consistent updates. For example, if the upstream OS vendor provides an update online, you might not want to deploy it until you've tested it. This helps ensure that when you upgrade, you are getting exactly what you asked for. ### Hybrid image/packaging via package layering It is possible to dynamically add more packages onto the system that are not part of the commit composed on the server. These additional "layered" packages are persistent across upgrades, rebases, and deploys (contrast with the ostree [unlocking](https://github.com/ostreedev/ostree/blob/main/man/ostree-admin-unlock.xml) mechanism). This is where the true hybrid image/package nature of rpm-ostree comes into play; you get a combination of the benefits of images and packages. The package updates are still fully transactional and offline. For example, you can use package layering to install 3rd party kernel modules, or userspace driver daemons such as `pcsc-lite-ccid`. While most software should go into a container, you have full flexibilty to use packages where it suits. ``` # rpm-ostree install ``` Will download the target package, its dependencies, and create a new deployment with those packages installed. It is also possible to specify a local package which is not part of a repository. To remove layered packages, use: ``` # rpm-ostree uninstall ``` In order to uninstall a package that is a part of the base layer, use: ``` # rpm-ostree override remove ``` For example: ``` # rpm-ostree override remove firefox ``` By default, every `rpm-ostree` operation is "offline" - it has no effect on your running system, and will only take effect when you reboot. This "pending" state is called the "pending deployment". Operations can be chained; for example, if you invoke `rpm-ostree upgrade` after installing a package, your new root will upgraded with the package also installed. ### Rebasing ``` # rpm-ostree rebase -b $branchname ``` Your operating system vendor may provide multiple base branches. For example, Fedora Atomic Host has branches of the form: - `fedora/27/aarch64/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/aarch64/testing/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/aarch64/updates/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/ppc64le/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/ppc64le/testing/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/ppc64le/updates/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/x86_64/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/x86_64/testing/atomic-host` - `fedora/27/x86_64/updates/atomic-host` You can use the `rebase` command to switch between these; this can represent a major version upgrade, or logically switching between different "testing" streams within the same release. Like every other `rpm-ostree` operation, All layered packages and local state will be carried across. ### Other local state changes See `man rpm-ostree` for more. For example, there is an `rpm-ostree initramfs` command that enables local initramfs generation. ### Experimental interface There is a generic `rpm-ostree ex` command that offers experimental features. One of those is `rpm-ostree ex apply-live`, which offers the ability to apply changes from the pending deployment to the booted deployment. See `man rpm-ostree` for more information. ## Filesystem layout The only writable directories are `/etc` and `/var`. In particular, `/usr` has a read-only bind mount at all times. Any data in `/var` is never touched, and is shared across upgrades. At upgrade time, the process takes the *new default* `/etc`, and adds your changes on top. This means that upgrades will receive new default files in `/etc`, which is quite a critical feature. For more information, see [OSTree: Adapting](https://ostreedev.github.io/ostree/adapting-existing/). ## Operating system changes * The RPM database is stored in `/usr/share/rpm`, and is immutable. * A package [nss-altfiles](https://github.com/aperezdc/nss-altfiles) is required, and the system password database is stored in `/usr/lib/passwd`. Similar for the group database. This might change in the future; see [this issue](https://github.com/projectatomic/rpm-ostree/issues/49).