# Software Updater Manual

## Introduction

Software Updater is a graphical interface to the software update features of Advanced Packaging Tool (APT). APT is a command line tool for installing, updating, and removing software.

Software Updater makes the task of checking for and installing software updates as effortless as possible. Software Updater keeps your system up to date by checking Ubuntu's software repositories for new versions of installed software. The new versions usually contain bug fixes and new features, but may also contain security updates. Use Software Updater on a regular basis to ensure that your system is as up to date and secure as possible.

Software Updater decides which software needs to be updated by comparing the version numbers of individual software files on your computer with the software in one or more software repositories. The software repositories are usually on remote network servers, but may also be on a CD-ROM. Whenever Software Updater notifies you that an update is available, you may choose to install the update immediately, or to ignore the update.

Software Updater has settings and preferences which allow you to: set how often it checks for updates, add and remove software repositories, and manage repository authentication keys.

## Getting Started

### Installation

Software Updater is installed as part of the Ubuntu standard installation, and should already be on your system. The application is known as Ubuntu Update Manager. If you need to install Update Manager, you can use Synaptic Package Manager. Choose System Administration Synaptic Package Manager to start Synaptic. The package you need to install is `update-manager`.

You may also install Software Updater from the command line using `apt-get`. To install Update Manager from the command line:

    sudo apt-get install update-manager

Software Updater is dependent on the following packages: 'python,' 'python-gnome2,' 'python-apt,' 'synaptic,' and 'lsb-release.'

### Starting Software Updater

Choose System Administration Ubuntu Software Updater to start the application. Enter your password when prompted.

You may also start Software Updater from the command line:

    update-manager

### Main Window

The Software Updater main window is used for managing the update process and setting preferences.

When you open Software Updater, the main window displays the list of packages that need to be installed to update your computer. If the software on your computer is up to date, the main window contains only the message "The software on this computer is up to date."

Available Updates

## Performing Updates

### Updating Your Computer

When you open Software Updater, the main window displays the list of packages that need to be installed to update your computer. If the software on your computer is up to date, the main window contains only the message "The software on this computer is up to date."

Available Updates

By default, all packages are marked for installation. In most cases you will install all of the packages right away. However, if there are a large number of updates you may want to do only a few at a time.

To un-mark a package for installation, clear the check box for the package.

To see additional information about a package, click on Details. (see expanding-update-info)

When you are ready to install the selected packages, click on Install.

If Software Updater detects one or more packages without a digital signature, the Summary dialog is displayed.

The Summary dialog lists three groups of update categories:

NOT AUTHENTICATED

- Packages without a digital signature.

To be upgraded

- Packages that will be upgraded.

Unchanged

- Packages that will not be upgraded due to dependency issues. The packages will be upgraded in a future Update Manager session, once the developers have resolved the package dependencies.

If you do not want to install non-authenticated packages, click Cancel. The Summary dialog will close, and you can deselect the packages in the Software Updater main window.

If a deselected package is required as a dependency for a selected package, Software Updater will install the deselected package to satisfy the dependency.

Software Updater downloads all of the selected packages before installing them. The entire process might take a long time depending on the amount of data that needs to be downloaded, the speed of your network connection, and the number of packages that need to be installed. While downloading packages, Software Updater displays a dialog box that monitors the download progress. (See monitoring-download).

### Expanded Update Information

To see additional information about a package:

1. Click on the package in the main window.

2. Click on Details.A tabbed section opens within the main window.

The tabs are as follows:

Changes

- A list of the changes incorporated in the package. The list is the contents of the `ChangeLog` file for the package.

Description

- A short description of each program in the package.

### Monitoring Download Progress

Software Updater displays the Installing updates window while the packages are downloading. The progress bar in the Installing updates window shows the progress of the entire update.

To display the download progress of each package, click on Show progress of individual files.

To cancel the download, click Cancel.

All files must be downloaded before Software Updater can proceed to the installation stage. If the network connections fails or if you cancel the download, the update will not be installed.

To resume a canceled or failed download, click on Install in the main window. Software Updater will resume the download from the last successfully downloaded file.

### Monitoring Installation Progress

Software Updater displays the Installation updates window while the updates are being installed. The progress bar inside the Installation updates window shows the progress of the entire installation.

To display the installation progress of each package, click on Terminal. The terminal view opens within the window. The terminal view displays the unfiltered output of the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT). APT is the tool that Software Updater uses to perform the update.

Do not terminate the installation process. This may lead to corruption of installed programs and general system instability.

## Setting Preferences

The Software Updater Preferences button displays the Software Preferences dialog. From this dialog you can perform the following tasks:

- Manage software sources (see managing-sources).

- Manage authentication keys (see managing-authentication).

- Manage settings (see managing-settings).

### Managing Software Sources

During installation of a distro, software repositories are automatically added to the list of 'software sources.' Typical sources added by the distro installation include the installation source, update, and security repositories. Sources can be added to and removed from the list and existing sources can be edited.

The operations described here modify `/etc/apt/sources.list` using the Update Manager graphical user interface. Software sources can also be managed by making direct modifications in `/etc/apt/sources.list`. This is only advised for advanced users.

#### Adding Software Sources

Software may be installed using various access methods:

- CD-ROM - Compact Disk Read Only Memory, normally directly connected to the computer system and mounted locally by the operating system.

- FTP - File Transfer Protocol, a secure and reliable protocol designed specifically for the purpose of transferring large files across the Internet.

- HTTP - HyperText Transfer Protocol, commonly used to request and receive Web pages, but can also be used for file transfer.

- SMB - Server Management Block is used to access shared resources on computers running Microsoft Windows or Samba Server.

- NFS - Network File System is used to access shared resources on Linux/UNIX computers.

Before software sources residing on SMB or NFS shares can be defined, the share must be mounted by the local system. Access can then be made via the local filesystem. For more information see editing-sources.

A new software source can be defined by clicking the Add button located on the Software Preferences dialog. This will display the Edit Repository dialog.

Adding Software Sources

Complete the Edit Repository dialog to add a new Software source.

Repository

- A drop-list containing known software sources.

Components

- The Ubuntu software repository contains thousands of software packages organized into four 'components,' on the basis of the level of support we can offer them, and whether or not they comply with Free Software Philosophy. The components are called 'main,' 'restricted,' 'universe,' and 'multiverse.'

  Check the components you wish to include in the update list.

  - Officially supported (main) - The main distribution component contains applications that are free software, can freely be redistributed and are fully supported by the Ubuntu team. This includes the most popular and most reliable open source applications available, much of which is installed by default when you install Ubuntu. Software in main includes a hand-selected list of applications that the Ubuntu developers, community, and users feel are important and that the Ubuntu security and distribution team are willing to support. When you install software from the main component you are assured that the software will come with security updates and technical support. We believe that the software in main includes everything most people will need for a fully functional desktop or Internet server running only open source software. The licenses for software applications in main must be free, but main may also may contain binary firmware and selected fonts that cannot be modified without permission from their authors. In all cases redistribution is unencumbered.

  - Restricted Copyright - The restricted component is reserved for software that is very commonly used, and which is supported by the Ubuntu team even though it is not available under a completely free license. Please note that it may not be possible to provide complete support for this software since we are unable to fix the software ourselves, but can only forward problem reports to the actual authors. Some software from restricted will be installed on Ubuntu CDs but is clearly separated to ensure that it is easy to remove. We include this software because it is essential in order for Ubuntu to run on certain machines - typical examples are the binary drivers that some video card vendors publish, which are the only way for Ubuntu to run on those machines. By default, we will only use open source software unless there is simply no other way to install Ubuntu. The Ubuntu team works with such vendors to accelerate the open-sourcing of their software to ensure that as much software as possible is available under a Free license.

  - Community maintained (Universe) - The universe component is a snapshot of the free, open source, and Linux world. In universe you can find almost every piece of open source software, and software available under a variety of less open licenses, all built automatically from a variety of public sources. All of this software is compiled against the libraries and using the tools that form part of main, so it should install and work well with the software in main, but it comes with no guarantee of security fixes and support. The universe component includes thousands of pieces of software. Through universe, users are able to have the diversity and flexibility offered by the vast open source world on top of a stable Ubuntu core.

  - Non Free (Multiverse) - The 'multiverse' component contains software that is not free, which means the licensing requirements of this software do not meet the Ubuntu 'main' Component license Policy. The onus is on you to verify your rights to use this software and comply with the licensing terms of the copyright holder. This software is not supported and usually cannot be fixed or updated. Use it at your own risk.

#### Creating Custom Software Sources

It is also possible to define custom software sources.

To define a custom software source click the Custom button located on the Edit Repository dialog. This will display a dialog in which the custom repository can be defined using apt command syntax. Apt is an Advanced Packaging Tool and front-end to dpkg the Debian Package Management System. Once the apt line is entered click the Add repository button.

Creating Custom Software Sources

The apt command syntax defines the 'type,' 'location,' and 'content' of the repository. Example of the command syntax could look like this.

    deb ftp://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hoary main restricted universe multiverse

This example would define the software sources as a Debian source at ubuntu.com containing the hoary release and using all components. For definition of the components, see managing-sources.

#### Removing Software Sources

Software sources can be removed from the sources list by selecting the software source then clicking the Remove button located on the Software Preferences dialog.

Removal of a software source requires that the apt file (`/etc/apt/sources.list`) that contains the a list of software sources is updated. Before modifying this file Software Updater prompts to confirm the operation. If the operation is confirmed a backup copy is create in `/etc/apt/sources.list.save`.

#### Editing Software Sources

To change the values defining a software source, select the source record then click the edit button. This will display the Edit Repository dialog.

Editing Software Sources

Type

- Software sources may contain software in 'Binary' or 'Source Code' format. Select the option correlating to the repository format.

URI

- Enter a valid Uniform Resource Indicator (URI). Following is a list of examples for each of the possible access methods:

  - CD-ROM - `cdrom:[description_of_cd]/`

  - FTP - `ftp://ftp.domain.ext/path/to/repository`

  - HTTP - `http://www.domain.ext/path/to/repository`

  - SMB - Works only when the computer is already connected to an SMB share. To connect to SMB share use the following command syntax from the shell `smbclient //hostname/sharename -U username`.

    The SMB share is accessed from the local file system once the local system is connected. `file://path/to/sharefile`

  - NFS - Works only when the computer is already connected to a NFS share. To connect the NFS share must be mounted. NFS shares are mounted on the client side using the mount command. The format of the command is as follows: `mount -o [options] [host]:[/remote/export] [/local/directory]`

    Once mounted Software Updater can access the share using the following command `file://path/to/local/directory`

  If accessing a SMB or NFS shares by manually issuing the `mount` commands, the file system must be remounted manually after the system is rebooted. Failing to remount will result in Update Manager not being able to access the resource.

Distribution

- The name of the distribution or name of the distribution version.

Sections

- The section of the distribution repository to access.

Comment

- Add a comment to describe the repository.

Repositories defined using Synaptic, another package management tool, are automatically displayed in the Software Updater Software Sources list.

### Managing Authentication Keys

Authentication keys make it possible to verify the integrity of update software. From the Authentication Keys dialog it is possible to view and manage the list authentication keys. Each key corresponds to a Software Source defined in the Software Preference dialog (see managing-sources). Keys can be added and removed. In the event of an error it is also possible to restore the default authentication keys provided by the defined update repositories.

Managing Authentication Keys

#### Adding Authentication Keys

Authentication keys are usually obtained from the software vendor running the repository. Often the vendor will place a copy of the authentication key on a key server, for example www.keyserver.net. The key can then be retrieved using the command `gpg -recv-key`. When the key resides on a key server the option `--keyserver` must be used to give the name of this key server.

    gpg -recv-key --keyserver www.keyserver.net

If the key is fetched over a untrusted medium, like the Internet, additional steps should be taken to verify the key. For example, getting the fingerprint with a secure method such as by phone, letter, or business card. Alternately you can check if the key is signed with a known-good key.

Once the key is downloaded, select it using the Choose a key-file dialog that is displayed when the Add button.

Adding Authentication Keys

#### Removing Authentication Keys

Authentication keys can be removed by selecting a record item then clicking the Remove button.

#### Restoring Default Keys

During installation the default Ubuntu Authentication keys are added to the Ubuntu GPG Keyring package. In the even of a key being accidentally deleted it can be restored by clicking the Restore default keys button.

### Managing Settings

The Settings button, located on the Software Preferences dialog, displays the Settings dialog. From this interface you can manage the behavior of the application and pre-update process.

Managing Settings

The following options are available:

### User Interface

- Show disabled software sources: - When checked software sources that are not checked in the Software Preferences dialog are displayed. When unchecked, these items are not displayed in the list.

### Updates

- - Automatically check for software updates: - When checked the Update interval in days option is enabled. Update Manager will poll all enabled software sources for updates according to the value specified in the scroll-box.

  - Download upgradable packages: - When checked Software Updater will automatically download any available software update packages. It will not install them until the user has defined the installation list (see performing-updates).

### Temporary files

- Automatically clean temporary packages files: - When checked the Clean interval in days option is enabled. Software Updater automatically removes any temporary files created by the upgrade process according to the value specified in the scroll-box.

- Set maximum size of the package cache: When checked the size of the package cache is limited to the value specified in the Maximum size in MB spin-box.

- Delete old packages in the package cache: When checked cached packaged with a date older than the value specified in the Maximum age in days spin-box will be automatically purged from the cache.

### Install Progress for Terminal View Only

It is also possible to configure the installation progress to use only a terminal view. That is to say, no progress bar is displayed, only a terminal view.

Monitoring Installation Progress

Do not terminate the installation process. This may lead to corruption of installed programs and general system instability.

Changing between 'Progress Bar' and 'Terminal View,' modes is managed via Synaptic. To change modes proceed as follows:

1. Start Synaptic by selecting System Administration Synaptic Package Manager from the Desktop menu system.

2. When prompted, enter your password.

3. From the main menu, select Settings Preferences . The Preferences dialog is displayed.

4. From the General tab, Apply Changes group, check or uncheck the Apply changes in terminal window checkbox.

   Synaptic Preferences - General Tab

5. Click OK and exit Synaptic.

## About Software Updater

The Software Updater was written by Michiel Sikkes michiel@eyeopened.nl and Michael Vogt michael.vogt@ubuntu.com as an apt Software Updater for the GNOME Desktop of the Ubuntu distribution. The user manual was written by Sean Wheller sean@inwords.co.za.

To report a bug or make a suggestion regarding this package or this manual, send mail to ubuntu-users@lists.ubuntu.com.

&GFDL;