Flavors of SUSE Linux: Week 1 Unit 1

Week 1 Unit 1:
Flavors of SUSE Linux

More Than One SUSE Linux
There are two primary types of SUSE Linux:
open.sap.com Slide 2
openSUSE
openSUSE is an open source project, SUSE being the primary contributor.

There are two current releases of openSUSE:
openSUSE Leap openSUSE Tumbleweed

A “rolling release” Linux distribution
Major releases match the SUSE Linux Enterprise
Server (SLES) release version New versions of individual packages are made available
o Example: openSUSE Leap 15 for SLES 15 as soon as they are stabilized
Minor releases match the Service Pack level for
SLES Receives security updates, bug fixes, and new features
as soon as they are integrated and tested by the
o Example: openSUSE Leap 15.1 for SLES 15 openSUSE community
sp1
Targeted at developers and power users Targeted at users who want the latest software package
versions
Why openSUSE?
If you are new to openSUSE (and even open source software):

o openSUSE is free software, as in free beer and free speech
o It is safe and stable
o Complete, easy and fun
If you are an advanced user:
o Large, well supported Linux distribution
o Learning curve, but customizable
o Community projects, apps, Tumbleweed, collaboration, etc.
If you are a FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) developer:
o Regular release schedule, large package library, Tumbleweed
o Community collaboration
o Foundational support from SUSE
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a refined and enhanced openSUSE.

o SLES 15 is a multimodal operating system (OS) that paves the way for IT transformation in the software-
defined era
• Multimodal – works in traditional data centers and in cloud deployments
o SLES 15 makes traditional IT infrastructure efficient and provides an engaging platforms for developers
o SLES 15 can be easily deployed and transition workloads across on-premise and public cloud environments
o SLES 15 makes traditional IT infrastructure more efficient with Modular+ architecture
• Modular+ - everything is a module (i.e.- High Availability, Base System, Desktop Apps)
o SLES 15 accelerates the transition from community Linux based developer setups to fully supported
enterprise Linux environments
Relationship between openSUSE and SLES
openSUSE
Leap 15.1
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
openSUSE
Leap 15
Binary Code Base
openSUSE
Leap 42.3 IBM System z IBM POWER X86_64
SLES Common Code Base

openSUSE
Leap 42.2
SLES Maintenance Model
Copyright © SUSE LLC
© 2019 SUSE LLC. All rights reserved. SUSE and the SUSE logo are registered trademarks of SUSE
LLC in the United States and other countries. All third-party trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Thank You!
Contact Information:
open@sap.com
Week 1 Unit 2:
Introduction to YaST
What is YaST?
YaST (Yet another Setup Tool) is a local system configuration tool for Linux, most prominently used by
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and openSUSE
Using YaST, you can configure the network, storage devices, software, and most network services
shipped as part of SLES.
YaST has four user interfaces:
o Command line non-interactive
• Example: yast -i vim
o Command line interactive
• Example: yast lan interactive
o Graphical
o Non-graphical (ncurses)
The appearance of the user interface depends on which command you use to start YaST
Starting YaST - Graphical
There are multiple ways to start YaST:

o GNOME: Activities > Show Applications > YaST
Starting YaST – Command Line
o Get root permissions:

• Example: su –
o List modules: yast -l or yast --list, then start YaST with the module:
Starting YaST – Where you start YaST matters
When using interactive YaST, there are two different commands (from a command line) to
start it, each with different possible results depending on where you typed the YaST
command:
o yast – always launches the ncurses interface
o yast2 – can launch the graphical or ncurses interface depending on the location where the
command is called from
Command Terminal in X Command Line

yast ncurses ncurses
yast2 graphical ncurses
Graphical YaST
The graphical interface of YaST is organized

into two sections when started,
categories and modules.
Categories are on the left and organize the

various modules into loosely related
topics such as Software, Network
Services, and Security and Users.
Selecting a category on the left displays
the contained modules on the right.
Non-Graphical YaST
Like the graphical interface of YaST, the

non-graphical, or ncurses interface, is
organized into two sections when started,
categories and modules.
Using the arrow keys or the various hotkeys
highlighted in yellow, settings can be
changed through the ncurses interface
with exactly the same effect as with the
graphical interface.
Key Description
Tab Move focus to the next frame or item
Shift-Tab Move focus back to the previous frame or item
Arrow Keys Navigate in a frame
Space (De-) Select a highlighted item
Enter Select menu item or button
YaST Modules
YaST has a series of modules that allow configuration of various components.

Modules allow you shape the product according to your needs.
Each module has a clearly defined scope. These include the following:
o lan – configure the network in SLES
o firewall – view and change the firewall settings
o nfs – configure an nfs client
o nfs-server – setup and configure an nfs server
o partitioner – manage disk space and partitions
o scc – configure SUSE Support Center configuration and subscription information
o sudo – modify sudo properties and settings
o sw_single – add or remove software packages
respective owners.
Thank You!
open@sap.com
Week 1 Unit 3:
The SLES Unified Installer
What is the Unified Installer?
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is installed through the use of the Unified Installer
Previous versions of SLES had separate installation media for each sub-product
The Unified Installer allows several different products to be installed from a single installation medium,
despite having only one relatively small .iso (less than 670MB)
Unified Installer Product Options
Upon starting the Unified Installer, the first screen you are presented with after booting
allows you to choose the product you wish to install.
Your options are:
o SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP1
o SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing 15 SP1
o SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP1
o SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 15 SP1
o SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 15 SP1
o SUSE Manager Server 4.0
o SUSE Manager Proxy 4.0
o SUSE Manager Retail Branch Server 4.0
Note that you will need a registration code for the product
you select
Access to Packages
When installing via the installation medium, only a minimal command line based system can be
installed, unless:
o The system being installed has connectivity to SUSE Customer Center (SCC)
o The system being installed has connectivity to a Repository Mirroring Tool (RMT)
o The second .iso has been downloaded, SLE-15-Packages, and is made available during the
installation
In order to use SCC or an RMT, you will need a

registration code for the product you select.
Add On Product
A minimal installation of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server with no additional software selected
is of limited use.
• In order to add functionality to your product, select a module or extension that matches
your needs
• All products listed in the Extensions and Modules Selection screen have dependencies on
at least the Basesystem Module, with other dependencies likely
Note that dependencies between modules are not handled

automatically, so consult the Installation Quick Start Guide or
Deployment Guide for more information:
o https://www.suse.com/documentation/sles-
15/book_quickstarts/data/art_modules.html
o https://www.suse.com/documentation/sles-
15/book_sle_deployment/data/book_sle_deployment.h
tml
Installation Summary
Before any changes are written to disk for the installation

of SLES, you are presented with a summary of the
proposed install.
• Changes can be made by clicking the available links
and modifying settings as desired
• When selections have been verified as correct, select
the Install button
respective owners.
Thank You!
open@sap.com
Week 1 Unit 4:
SLES Modules and Extensions
SLES Modules
SLES has a series of modules that allow configuration of various components.

Modules allow you shape the product according to your needs.
Each module has a clearly defined scope. These include the following:
o Basesystem – adds a basic system on top of the Installer. Required by all other modules and
extensions
o Desktop Applications – adds a graphical user interface and essential desktop applications to the
system
o Development Tools – contains compilers and libraries required for compiling and debugging
applications. Replaces the former Software Development Kit (SDK)
o Legacy – contains packages that were available in previous versions of SLES, but have been
discontinued
o Server Applications – adds server functionality by providing network services such as DHCP
server, name server, or web server
o Web and Scripting – contains packages intended for a running web server
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Extensions
• SLES extensions provide advanced capabilities for tasks, such as live patching and high
availability clustering
• Extensions are offered as subscriptions and require a registration key that is liable for costs
• Extensions usually have their own release notes that are available from
https://www.suse.com/releasenotes
• The currently available extensions are:
o SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension
o SUSE Linux Enterprise Live Patching
o SUSE Enterprise Storage
o SUSE Linux Enterprise Workstation Extension
Installing Modules and Extensions
Modules and Extensions can be installed when initially setting up the system, and also on an existing
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Installation
• For an new installation:
o The steps are part of the installation routine
o Either network access to SCC or SMT/RMT, or offline with additional installation media
• For an existing installation:
o Launch the YaST module Add System Extensions or Modules and follow instructions
Extension Detail: High Availability Extension
SUSE Linux Enterprise High Availability Extension is an integrated suite of open source
technologies that enables you to implement highly available physical and virtual Linux
clusters.
• High availability clustering is used to automate application and data recovery
• Flexible policy-driven clustering solution to eliminate single points of failure
• Servers are continuously monitored; workloads are transferred when faults or failures
occur
Extension Detail: Live Patching
Using SUSE Linux Enterprise Live Patching, you can apply patches to your Linux kernel
without rebooting your system.
• Your applications keep running while you patch the Linux kernel with critical updates
• Maximize uptime for a wide range of systems and applications
Extension Detail: Enterprise Storage
An intelligent software-defined storage solution, powered by CEPH technology, which

enables you to transform your enterprise storage infrastructure.
• Simple to manage, agile infrastructure with increased speed of delivery, durability and
reliability
• Reduce costs and alleviate proprietary hardware lock-in
• Truly open and unified, intelligent software-defined storage solution
respective owners.
Thank You!
open@sap.com

Flavors of SUSE Linux: Week 1 Unit 1

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Week 1 Unit 1:

Flavors of SUSE Linux

There are two primary types of SUSE Linux:

openSUSE is an open source project, SUSE being the primary contributor.

openSUSE Leap openSUSE Tumbleweed

If you are new to openSUSE (and even open source software):

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a refined and enhanced openSUSE.

SLES Common Code Base

There are multiple ways to start YaST:

o Get root permissions:

Command Terminal in X Command Line

The graphical interface of YaST is organized

Categories are on the left and organize the

Like the graphical interface of YaST, the

YaST has a series of modules that allow configuration of various components.

In order to use SCC or an RMT, you will need a

Note that dependencies between modules are not handled

Before any changes are written to disk for the installation

SLES has a series of modules that allow configuration of various components.

An intelligent software-defined storage solution, powered by CEPH technology, which

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