Standards/YaST2 Repository Metadata

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YaST metadata format

The YaST format is still supported for CD/DVD installation due to the inflexibility of XML parsers. XML parsers tend to read a file completely which is not useful in low memory situations like we have during initial installation.

Additionally, the YaST format supports a repository spread across multiple media (e.g. CDs), a feature not initially possible with repomd. Recent updates to the repomd format indicate that this limitation is lifted now.

YaST Repository

Repository layout

The YaST metadata is rooted at two files

content

The content file describes the product (name, version, dependencies) and the repository layout. It also contains data used to control YaST during installation of the product.

media.1/media

The media file describes the media format used to find and recognize all media belonging to the same set.

Metadata and payload data

The content file contains links to two other directories of the repository

DESCRDIR

This is where the metadata about packages and patterns resides

DATADIR

This is where the payload data (the packages) resides

Metadata Signature and Checksum

Read the Metadata Signature model.

Based on this model, the master index is content file, and the signature has to be provided as content.asc.

The public part of the key used to sign the master index can be provided as content.key

See also

Creating YaST installation sources