Install a package in Suse-like systems - Ansible module zypper

A real-life example of how to install a package in Suse-like systems: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server and openSUSE

October 14, 2021

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#ansible #zypper #module #suse #opensuse

How to Install a package with Ansible in Suse-like systems?

I’m going to show you a live demo with some simple Ansible code. I’m Luca Berton and welcome to today’s episode of Ansible Pilot. Ansible Install a package in Suse-like systems Today we’re talking about the Ansible module zypper. The full name is community.general.zypper which means is part of the Community General Collection so maintained by the Ansible Community contributors. It works on Syse-like operating systems and Manages packages on SUSE and openSUSE via the zypper package manager. It’s similar to the yum or DNF module for RedHat-like operating systems or the apt module for Debian-like operating systems.

Parameters

name string - name or package specific
state string - present / absent / latest
type string - package / patch / pattern / product / srcpackage / application
update_cache boolean - no/yes

The parameter list is pretty wide but these four are the most important options. In the “name” parameter you are going to specify the name of the package or the specific version you would like to install. The state specifies the action that we would like to perform. In our case for install is “present”. The type of package to be operated on package / patch / pattern / product / srcpackage / application. “update_cache” forces to update the repository metadata before the installation. It could be useful to make sure that repositories are up-to-date. The equivalent of console commandzypper refresh.

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demo

Let’s jump in a real-life playbook to install a package in Suse-like systems with Ansible.

code

zypper.yml

---
- name: zypper module demo
  hosts: all
  become: true
  tasks:
    - name: install package
      community.general.zypper:
        name: dos2unix
        state: present

execution

output

$ ansible-playbook -i suse/inventory install\ a\ package\ in\ Suse-like\ systems/zypper.yml
PLAY [zypper module demo] *************************************************************************
TASK [Gathering Facts] ****************************************************************************
[WARNING]: Platform linux on host suse.example.com is using the discovered Python interpreter at
/usr/bin/python, but future installation of another Python interpreter could change the meaning of
that path. See https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-
core/2.11/reference_appendices/interpreter_discovery.html for more information.
ok: [suse.example.com]
TASK [install package] ****************************************************************************
changed: [suse.example.com]
PLAY RECAP ****************************************************************************************
suse.example.com           : ok=2    changed=1    unreachable=0    failed=0    skipped=0    rescued=0    ignored=0

verification

$ ssh [email protected]
[email protected]:~> sudo su -
suse:~ # zypper se -i dos2unix
Loading repository data...
Warning: Repository 'openSUSE-Leap-42.3-Update' appears to be outdated. Consider using a different mirror or server.
Warning: Repository 'openSUSE-Leap-42.3-Update-Non-Oss' appears to be outdated. Consider using a different mirror or server.
Reading installed packages...
S  | Name     | Summary                                     | Type   
---+----------+---------------------------------------------+--------
i+ | dos2unix | Text converters to and from DOS/MAC to UNIX | package

code with ❤️ in GitHub

Recap

Now you know how to install a package of a package in Suse-like systems. Subscribe to the YouTube channel, Medium, Website, Twitter, and Substack to not miss the next episode of the Ansible Pilot.