Overview
This section explains the architecture and management of modular packages in NX-OS, which are independent software components (RPMs) that allow for feature-specific upgrades and runtime removal.
A modular package is a software package that
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enables independent upgrades within the same release
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allows runtime removal without impacting system startup or other functions, and
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requires feature APIs to be used only after package installation.
The NX-OS software image is traditionally constructed with the packaging that forms a Linux distribution. It makes upgrading certain packages difficult as each package is large in size. This section describes a new package management for the NX-OS software image. Beginning with NX-OS Release 9.2(1), some NXOS features are considered as optional, for example, BGP, OSPF, VXLAN, MPLS, Segment Routing.
Each modular package has the following important characteristics:
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Upgrade functionality—The modular packages can be independently upgraded. The modular packages should be used from the same release as performing upgrades on these packages across multiple releases is not supported.
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Optionality—The modular packages are optional, for example, these packages can be removed or uninstalled at run time. The removal of the modular packages does not affect bringing-up the system and it does not affect any other functionality of the switches.
All APIs exported by the modular package should be used only after the installation of the feature.
RPM and DNF
RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) is the package management system used for packaging in the Linux Standard Base (LSB). The RPM command options are grouped into three subgroups for:
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Querying and verifying packages
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Installing, upgrading, and removing packages
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Performing miscellaneous functions
rpm is the command name for the main command that is used with RPM, whereas .rpm is the extension that is used for the RPM files.
Dandified YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified) or DNF is an open source command-line tool for RPM based Linux systems. It allows users and system administrators to easily install, update, remove, or search software packages on the systems. DNF adds the automatic updates and the package management, including dependency management, to the RPM systems. In addition to understanding the installed packages on a system, DNF works with the repositories that are collections of the packages and they are typically accessible over a network connection.