Installing packages in VPS

[sierra]

How can we install packages in a VPS ?

[Rick]

Hi, good question. The answer is not as simple though, because it truly matters which package you are referring to.


RPM / Distribution provided
Source Code
Web script | php/mysql scriptThese are the three basic package types for Unix. All three will operate in a VPS the same as a conventional Linux server. The installation method varies with each. RPM means the distribution provides it (check RPM manual), source code means check the INSTALL or SETUP file in the archive, and web script usually has an INSTALL.HTML or online install procedure.

Hope this helps!

[sierra]

Can you explain it all ?

[Rick]

RPM / Distribution providedThis method requires you to use the package management tool included with the distro. For Fedora,RedHat,CentOS it is called "yum". For Gentoo, "emerge". For Debian, "apt-get". You should read the manual on the tool for your distro since there are many options. Here is a simple example to install php on CentOS:

yum -y install php


Source CodeTo install a package from source code, generally:

download tar.gz | tar.bz2 file and uncompress to /usr/local/src
read documentation in README, INSTALL, or other similar file
./configure (you may want to add options to the configure script, see the manual for this package for info about options)
make (compiles the package)
make install (installs the binaries, libraries, manuals, etc into your server)

Web script | php/mysql scriptGenerally:

download tar.gz | tar.bz2 file and uncompress to a website document root or subdirectory
read documentation in README, INSTALL, or other similar file
create mysql database if necessary (manual will tell you)
configure config.php or similar file
load script in your browser. if error, consult manual because you did not provision properly or satisfy the script requirements
Thats a crash course in adding software to a Unix server!

[glowworm]

To install a package from source code, generally:

To expand on Rick's fantastic explanations above, if you choose Gentoo as your VPS O/S then you will be using source code all the time, but with a nicer interface than # wget web.site.tld/package.tar.gz
# tar -xvzf package<tab>
# cd packagedir
# ./configure
# make
# make install
# go and try to sort out the config files.

In Gentoo you basically from a root command prompt type: # emerge -av packagename

[birty]

or using webmin yiou can install packages through system, software packages

[stonedge]

I've wanted to ask someone this question about Virtuozzo for some time.

I'm not clear on the shared kernel thing for Virtuozoo VPSs.
Do all the VPSs on a particular server "share" the same kernel as the host OS?
i.e. Does the host OS run say kernel 2.6.4-15 and therefore all Linux distros running in all the VPSs on that server are running that kernel?

If we can install RPM packages, are we responsible for running up2date or yast,etc to update all our Linux distro RPMs and our Control Panel?

If so, do we update everything except the kernel? even if the update manager says there is a kernel security patch available?

[hyperaxe]

Sad to say guys.. yum and up2date are not available on RedHat AS3 based VPS .. :(

I wish it would be available in the near future ..what do you think Rick? :)

[stonedge]

I use RH 9.0 and AS at work. They require a paid support license in order to connect to Redhat's patch server to get updates? How does a RH AS VPS get updates?

[hyperaxe]

I use RH 9.0 and AS at work. They require a paid support license in order to connect to Redhat's patch server to get updates? How does a RH AS VPS get updates?

Sad to say yum and up2date are not included on the RedHat AS VPS so you have to install updates and packages manually using rpm. :(

Because of this reason, I'm planning to shift to CentOS when I get some time off from work to do the migration of my sites and services.

[Rick]

Does the host OS run say kernel 2.6.4-15 and therefore all Linux distros running in all the VPSs on that server are running that kernel? Correct, one kernel.

If we can install RPM packages, are we responsible for running up2date or yast,etc to update all our Linux distro RPMs and our Control Panel?
Yes of course. you have the same software control as a conventional dedicated server. you can uninstall or isntall any rpm or software package.

If so, do we update everything except the kernel? even if the update manager says there is a kernel security patch available? you do not update the kernel nor are you technically able to.