Yet Another Setup Tool
Encyclopedia
YaST is an RPM
-based operating system
setup and configuration
tool that is featured in the openSUSE
Linux distribution
, as well as Novell
's derived commercial distributions. It features tools that can configure many aspects of the system. It is also part of the defunct United Linux
. The first SuSE distribution that included YaST was released in May, 1996.
YaST is free software
that Novell
has made available under the GPL
.
YaST2 is a tool for administering and maintaining a SUSE Linux installation. It allows administrators to install software, configure hardware, set up networks and servers, and more.
A feature of YaST is that it contains both GUI
and ncurses
front ends. This is especially useful for non-GUI installations, for system administration over slow Internet connections, and for when one is unable to boot into a graphical X server but still requires an advanced user interface to the package manager (for example, a novice user trying to downgrade an Xorg package to fix a graphical installation).
YaST's display configuration module is called SaX2 (which stands for SUSE Automated X configuration, version 2).
openSUSE 10.3 features a redesigned YaST for GNOME
users. Among the new modules are the "Community Repositories" which is a tool to easily add much used repositories and the KIWI imaging tool which easily lets you roll out your own custom SUSE images.
YaST offers package management functionality through the ZYpp project. The first ZYpp enabled package management YaST applications had performance problems and long start up times, but was improved in the 10.2 and 10.3 releases.
Starting with openSUSE 11.0 alpha 3, ZYpp was integrated with the SAT solver project, making YaST and zypper faster than other rpm based package managers.
AutoYaST is a system for installing one or more openSUSE systems automatically without user intervention. AutoYaST installations are performed using a control file with installation and configuration data. The profile of each current system is stored in
Management]
RPM Package Manager
RPM Package Manager is a package management system. The name RPM variously refers to the .rpm file format, files in this format, software packaged in such files, and the package manager itself...
-based operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
setup and configuration
Computer configuration
In communications or computer systems, a configuration is an arrangement of functional units according to their nature, number, and chief characteristics. Often, configuration pertains to the choice of hardware, software, firmware, and documentation...
tool that is featured in the openSUSE
SUSE Linux distributions
SUSE Linux is a computer operating system. It is built on top of the open source Linux kernel and is distributed with system and application software from other open source projects. SUSE Linux is of German origin and mainly developed in Europe. The first version appeared in early 1994, making...
Linux distribution
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
, as well as Novell
Novell
Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...
's derived commercial distributions. It features tools that can configure many aspects of the system. It is also part of the defunct United Linux
United Linux
United Linux was an attempt by a consortium of Linux distributors to create a common base distribution for enterprise use, so as to minimize duplication of engineering effort and form an effective competitor to Red Hat...
. The first SuSE distribution that included YaST was released in May, 1996.
YaST is free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
that Novell
Novell
Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...
has made available under the GPL
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
.
YaST2 is a tool for administering and maintaining a SUSE Linux installation. It allows administrators to install software, configure hardware, set up networks and servers, and more.
A feature of YaST is that it contains both GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
and ncurses
Ncurses
ncurses is a programming library that provides an API which allows the programmer to write text user interfaces in a terminal-independent manner. It is a toolkit for developing "GUI-like" application software that runs under a terminal emulator...
front ends. This is especially useful for non-GUI installations, for system administration over slow Internet connections, and for when one is unable to boot into a graphical X server but still requires an advanced user interface to the package manager (for example, a novice user trying to downgrade an Xorg package to fix a graphical installation).
YaST's display configuration module is called SaX2 (which stands for SUSE Automated X configuration, version 2).
openSUSE 10.3 features a redesigned YaST for GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
users. Among the new modules are the "Community Repositories" which is a tool to easily add much used repositories and the KIWI imaging tool which easily lets you roll out your own custom SUSE images.
YaST offers package management functionality through the ZYpp project. The first ZYpp enabled package management YaST applications had performance problems and long start up times, but was improved in the 10.2 and 10.3 releases.
Starting with openSUSE 11.0 alpha 3, ZYpp was integrated with the SAT solver project, making YaST and zypper faster than other rpm based package managers.
AutoYaST is a system for installing one or more openSUSE systems automatically without user intervention. AutoYaST installations are performed using a control file with installation and configuration data. The profile of each current system is stored in
/root/autoyast.xml.External links
Management]