The developers of the openSUSE project have introduced the Agama 17 installer, designed to replace the classic installation interface of SUSE and openSUSE, notably separating the user interface from the internal components of YaST. Agama supports the use of various front-ends, such as a web-based interface for managing installations. The source code of the installer components is distributed under the GPLv2 license and is written in Ruby, Rust, and JavaScript/TypeScript.
Live builds have been created for testing the new installer for the architectures x86_64, ppc64le, s390x, and ARM64. The builds include the beta version of openSUSE Leap 16, continuously updated builds of openSUSE Tumbleweed, and openSUSE Slowroll, as well as the MicroOS container-based edition and openSUSE Leap Micro 6.2. The installer will be included in openSUSE Leap 16 (release candidate available) and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16 (currently in beta testing).
The goals of the Agama development include addressing existing limitations of the graphical interface; expanding the possibilities for utilizing YaST functionality in other applications; moving away from dependence on a single programming language; and encouraging the creation of alternative settings by community members. The installer offers features such as selecting an initial set of applications, configuring network connections, language, keyboard, timezone, and localization settings, preparing storage devices, and partitioning, as well as adding users to the system.
For installing packages, checking hardware, partitioning disks, and other necessary installation functions, Agama continues to use YaST libraries, on top of which are service wrappers that abstract access to the libraries via a unified communication protocol based on HTTP. The installer employs a multiprocess architecture that ensures the user interaction interface remains responsive while other tasks are executed.
The basic interface for managing the installation is built using web technologies. The web interface is written in JavaScript using the React framework and PatternFly components. The messaging service, as well as the built-in HTTP server, are written in Ruby. The interface is displayed in a browser that runs in a graphical environment based on Wayland (a trimmed environment created using the Mutter compositor and Firefox).
In the new version:
- The page for configuring wired network interfaces has been redesigned. Improved handling of situations where multiple devices share a network connection.
- The storage device configuration interface has been enhanced. The section listing devices available for installation has been revamped. There is now the option to use a disk or RAID device directly without creating disk partitions. An option has been added for re-scanning connected or logical devices, such as LVM volume groups. Additionally, external changes to the installer’s configuration during operation with the web interface have been addressed.
- The registration page now allows for registering the system with user-customized RMT (Repository Mirroring Tool), not just at SUSE Customer Center. servers The ability to cancel the installation of SELinux or install alternative access control systems, such as AppArmor, has been added (SELinux will be used by default in SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.0 and openSUSE Leap 16.0).
- The tools for determining the configuration in JSON format have been expanded: parameters for configuring VLANs, activating zFCP devices, automating field filling, and modifying the installation software templates have been added. { "software": { "patterns": { "remove": ["selinux"], "add": ["apparmor", "gnome"] } } }
- The automated installation mode has been improved. Enhanced error handling capabilities during the installation script loading phase (in case of issues with loading or processing the configuration, a prompt for retrying the operation is now displayed). New boot parameters inst.auto_insecure and inst.script_insecure have been added to disable verification
- when loading the configuration. for TLS certificates when loading the configuration.
- The ability to make changes to the installation process has been implemented using supplementary RPM packages or DUD (Driver Update Disk) images, which contain additional files and packages copied to the installation media, as well as scripts run during the installation process. The URL for downloading the additions is passed through the boot parameters 'inst.dud' and 'inst.dud_insecure'. The mkdud utility is provided for creating the DUD image.
- Support for using Agama to install the openSUSE Leap Micro 6.2 distribution has been added.
Source: opennet.ru
