Software Channels
Channels are a method of grouping software packages. Software packages are provided by repositories, and repositories are associated with channels. Subscribing a client to a software channel allows the client to install and update any of the software associated with it.
In SUSE Manager, channels are divided into base channels and child channels. Organizing channels in this way ensures that only compatible packages are installed on each system. A client must be subscribed to only one base channel, assigned during registration based on the client operating system and architecture. For paid channels provided by a vendor, you must have an associated subscription.
A base channel consists of packages built for a specific operating system type, version, and architecture. For example, the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 x86-64 base channel contains only software compatible with that operating system and architecture.
A child channel is associated with a base channel and provides only packages that are compatible with the base channel.
A system can be subscribed to multiple child channels of its base channel.
When a system has been assigned to a base channel, it is only possible for that system to install the related child channels.
For example, if a system has been assigned to the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 x86_64
base channel, they will only be able to install or update packages made available through the compatible base channel, or any of its associated child channels.
In the SUSE Manager Web UI you can browse your available channels by navigating to
. You can modify or create new channels by navigating to .For more on using channels, including custom channels, see administration:channel-management.adoc.
Packages Provided by SUSE Package Hub
SUSE Package Hub is an extension to SUSE Linux Enterprise products that provides additional open source software provided by the openSUSE community. If you are using SUSE Linux Enterprise operating systems on your clients, you can enable the SUSE Package Hub extension to access these additional packages. This provides the SUSE Package Hub channels, which you can subscribe your clients to.
On Salt clients, you must apply the highstate after subscribing to the channel to be able to install packages.
Packages Provided by AppStream
AppStream is a modular package repository that provides additional software for most non-SUSE Linux distributions, including Red Hat and Oracle Linux. In most cases, you will need to install the base channel for your distribution, and the appropriate AppStream channel to ensure that you have all the software you need.
If you need to transform AppStream repositories into non-modular repositories for use with some upgrade operations, you can use the AppStream filter with the content lifecycle management tool. For more information about the AppStream filter, see administration:content-lifecycle-examples.adoc.
Unified Installer Updates Channels on SUSE Linux Enterprise Clients
This channel is used by the unified installer to ensure it is up to date before it installs the operating system. All SUSE Linux Enterprise proucts should have access to the installer updates channel during installation.
For SUSE Linux Enterprise Server clients the installer updates channel is synchronized by default when you add a product that contains them, and are enabled when you create an autoinstallation distribution with these product channels.
For all other SUSE Linux Enterprise variants, including SUSE Linux Enterprise for SAP, you must add the installer updates channel manually. To do this, clone the appropriate SUSE Linux Enterprise Server installer updates channel below the base channel of these SUSE Linux Enterprise variants. When creating a autoinstallation distribution for these SUSE Linux Enterprise variants after the channel was cloned, it will be used automatically.