Installing OpenAFS

OpenAFS and YUM

The problem installing openafs is the problem of installing the kernel module that is needed. First we just crammed all the kernel modules into one rpm. This was nice, but the rpm got to be huge. We then started packaging each kernel module in it's own rpm, after the format developed by livna.org. This has worked fine throughout the years, but the problem is teaching yum how to decide when to install and/or upgrade a kernel-module-openafs rpm.
yum 2.0 This version of yum was modified by the Scientific Linux development team. It would look at what kernels you have, what kernels you are installing or upgrading, what kernel-modules you have and/or installing. It would then determine the correct course of action to take.
yum 2.4 This version of yum uses a plugin, developed in the Yum development community. When you are upgrading, this looks at what kernel-module rpm's you have installed, and what kernels you are installing, and take the appropriate action. It does great with updating or installing a new kernel, or updating the kernel-module. It does not work well when you are installing the first kernel-module for a package, such as when you are initially installing openafs. But after openafs is installed, it works great when you are updating openafs or your kernel.

Scientific Linux Fermi

Scientific Linux Fermi 3.0.x
Installing openafs-client should automatically pull in openafs, and the correct kernel module. You need the openafs-thiscell to tell OpenAFS you are part of the fnal.gov afs cell.
yum install openafs-client openafs-thiscell

Scientific Linux Fermi 4.x
Installing openafs-client should automatically pull in openafs. doing kernel-module-openafs-`uname -r` will pull in the correct kernel module for the currently running kernel. You need the openafs-thiscell to tell OpenAFS you are part of the fnal.gov afs cell.
yum install openafs-client openafs-thiscell kernel-module-openafs-`uname -r`

Scientific Linux

Scientific Linux 3.0.x
Installing openafs-client should automatically pull in openafs, and the correct kernel module.
yum install openafs-client openafs-thiscell
echo "fnal.gov" >> /usr/vice/etc/ThisCell

Scientific Linux 4.x
Installing openafs-client should automatically pull in openafs. doing kernel-module-openafs-`uname -r` will pull in the correct kernel module for the currently running kernel.
yum install openafs-client kernel-module-openafs-`uname -r`
echo "fnal.gov" >> /usr/vice/etc/ThisCell



October 25, 2006