8 Chapter 2. Red Hat Update Agent
If you choose the last option and start the application from a shell prompt, you can specify the options
in Table 2-1 to the Red Hat Update Agent. To view these options, type the command up2date
--help.
For example, use the following command to specify the directory in which to download the updated
packages (temporarily overriding your saved configuration):
up2date --tmpdir=/tmp/up2date
Argument Description
--configure Configure Red Hat Update Agent options. Refer to Section 2.4
Configuration for detailed instructions.
-d, --download Download packages only; do not install them. This argument
temporarily overrides the configuration option Do not install
packages after retrieval. Use this option if you prefer to install
the packages manually.
-f, --force Force package installation. This option temporarily overrides the
file, package, and configuration skip lists.
-i, --install Install packages after they are downloaded. This argument
temporarily overrides the configuration option Do not install
packages after retrieval.
-k, --packagedir Specify a colon separated path of directories to look for packages
before trying to download them.
--nosig Do not use GPG to check package signatures. This option
temporarily overrides the saved configuration option.
--tmpdir=directory Temporarily override the configured package directory. The
default location is /var/spool/up2date. This option is useful
if you do not have enough space in the configured location.
--justdb Only add packages to the database and do not install them.
--dbpath=dir Specify an alternate RPM database to use temporarily.
Table 2-1. Graphical Update Agent Options
The first time you run the Red Hat Update Agent, two dialog boxes will appear that you will not see
in subsequent startups: Configure Proxy Server and Install GPG Key.
Asshown inFigure 2-1, thefirst dialog box toappear will promptyou forHTTP ProxyServer informa-
tion. This is useful if your network connection requires you to use a proxy server to make HTTP con-
nections. To use this feature, select the Enable HTTP Proxy checkbox and type your proxy server in
the text field with the format http://HOST:PORT, such as http://squid.mysite.org:3128.
Additionally, if your proxy server requires a username and password, select the Use Authentication
checkbox and enter your username and password in the respective text fields.
An HTTP Proxy Server is not required by Red Hat Network. If you do not want to use this feature,
click the OK button without making any selections. Note that the Red Hat Network Server dropdown
menu at the top of the dialog box is only useful to RHN Proxy and Satellite customers. These cus-
tomers should refer to the RHNClient Configuration Guide for registration steps. Also note this dialox
box is actually the General tab of the Red Hat Update Agent Configuration Tool. Refer to Section
2.4 Configuration for detailed instructions.
