4.1 Using Red Carpet to Update Novell Linux Desktop

ZENworks® Linux Management lets you manage any number of client machines from a central server located within your firewall. Using the Web interface or the command line tool, you can create groups of individual machines and channels of software, and then distribute the software to the machines. You can delegate authority to multiple administrators, follow progress with the built-in reporting system, and maintain your network.

Individual users can use the Red Carpet® client to manage the software they have on their computers. It can help them install, update, and remove programs without making them keep track of dependencies and conflicts themselves.

To install, update, or remove software, you must enter your system’s root password. If you do not have root privileges, you can only view the software installed on your system.

For more information on ZENworks Linux Management, see the Novell ZENworks Linux Management Administrator's Guide.

For more information on Red Carpet, see the Novell Red Carpet Administration Guide.

4.1.1 Subscribing to a Red Carpet Channel

To receive updates through Red Carpet, you must subscribe to a Red Carpet channel. To access a Red Carpet channel, you need an activation code.

There are two kinds of activation codes: registered and non-registered. Evaluation codes (good for 30 days worth of updates, but with no Support services) are preregistered and can be used right away. Purchased activation codes are not preregistered and must go through a registration process. To receive an evaluation access code, see Novell Linux Desktop 9 Evaluation Download. To purchase a regular activation code, see How to Buy Novell Linux Desktop 9.

After your activation code is registered, you can activate your desktop by adding a service and entering your e-mail address and activation code.

  1. Start the Red Carpet client:

    GNOME: Click System > Software Update.

    KDE: Click N icon > System > Configuration > Red Carpet.

  2. If you are not logged in as root, enter the root password, then click OK.

  3. Click Edit > Services > Add Service.

  4. Specify the URL of the service you want to add (for example, https://update.novell.com/data), then click OK.

  5. Click File > Activate.

  6. Specify your e-mail address and the activation key, then click Activate.

  7. On the Red Carpet toolbar, click Channels.

  8. Select the Subscribed check boxes you want, then click Close.

The workstation is now configured to receive updates for NLD.

4.1.2 Getting Software Updates

An update notice is shown only for software you already have installed that is in a channel to which you are subscribed, and for which there is a newer version than what you already have.

  1. Start the Red Carpet client:

    GNOME: Click System > Software Update.

    KDE: Click N icon > System > Configuration > Red Carpet.

  2. If you are not logged in as root, enter the root password, then click OK.

  3. On the Updates tab, select one or more packages in the list of available updates.

  4. Mark the selected packages for installation by clicking Mark for Installation.

  5. Click Run Now to perform the update.

    When the update is finished, the Update tab will show that your system is up-to-date.