Automatic updates with dnf-automatic

I have installed the package dnf-automatic, to allow for automatic updates to be installed.

dnf -y install dnf-automatic

There's only one configuration file available in /etc/dnf/automatic.conf.

I have set it to:

apply_updates = yes
download_updates = yes
upgrade_type = security

It shows that the timer is active:

[root@ ~]#systemctl status dnf-automatic.timer
● dnf-automatic.timer - dnf-automatic timer
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/dnf-automatic.timer; enabled; vendor preset: disabled)
Active: active (waiting) since Tue 2017-09-19 07:27:51 CEST; 2 weeks 4 days ago

Warning: Journal has been rotated since unit was started. Log output is incomplete or unavailable.

[root@ ~]# systemctl list-timers *dnf-automatic* --all
NEXT                          LEFT         LAST                          PASSED  UNIT                ACTIVATES
Sun 2017-10-08 08:28:05 CEST  5h 8min left Sat 2017-10-07 08:28:05 CEST  18h ago dnf-automatic.timer dnf-automatic.service

1 timers listed.

References

major.io - Automatic package updates with dnf

https://major.io/2015/05/11/automatic-package-updates-with-dnf/

Linux Audit - Automatic Security Updates with DNF

https://linux-audit.com/automatic-security-updates-with-dnf/

Excluding packages in DNF

In the file /etc/dnf/dnf.conf, you can enter which packages need to be excluded.

I like to exclude java packages, until I am ready for them (as they require a reboot of my application server):

[main]
gpgcheck=1
installonly_limit=3
clean_requirements_on_remove=true
exclude=java*

Or for instance:

[main]
gpgcheck=1
installonly_limit=3
clean_requirements_on_remove=true
exclude=kernel* java*

When I am ready to install all packages, regardless of excludes, I can use the commandline below.

$ dnf -y update --disableexcludes=all

References

Fedora 24: Exclude package from update

https://www.hiroom2.com/2016/07/07/fedora-24-exclude-package-from-update/

SysTutorials - Making dnf/yum Not Update Certain Packages

https://www.systutorials.com/1661/making-dnf-yum-not-update-certain-packages/

Yum replaced by DNF

Apparently, after I have upgraded Fedora Core to version 22, it appears the package manager of Fedora Core has been changed from Yum to DNF.

That is going to take some getting used to.

For more information, see the references.

References

Fedoraproject Wiki - DNF

https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Features/DNF

Will DNF Replace Yum? - Behind the Scenes at Fedora’s Future Package Manager

http://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/Features/Will-DNF-Replace-Yum

FedoraMagazine - Managing packages Fedora DNF

http://fedoramagazine.org/managing-packages-fedora-dnf/