Managing software packages with apt

This chapter describes how to manage software packages under Beckhoff RT Linux® using the standard tool apt (Advanced Package Tool). This includes preparation steps for authentication, updating the package lists, installing and removing packages as well as optional access to the unstable area for test purposes.

The following sections will guide you through the complete process:

• Authenticate on the Beckhoff Package Server
  Store your myBeckhoff access data in the file /etc/apt/auth.conf.d/bhf.conf so that apt can authenticate itself on the Beckhoff Package Server. If you do not yet have a user account, please register on myBeckhoff first.
• Update package information
  Execute the command sudo apt update before each installation or update. This causes the system to load the current package lists and version information of the available packages.
• Installing TwinCAT 3 runtime
  Install the TwinCAT 3 runtime on industrial PCs. Only necessary for industrial PCs without pre-installed runtime.
• Search for and install packages
  Use sudo apt search to find TwinCAT packages. Then install the desired packages with sudo apt install, for example sudo apt install tc31-xar-um for the TwinCAT 3 runtime.
• Remove packages and clean up dependencies
  Packages that are no longer required can be uninstalled with sudo apt remove (configuration files are retained) or sudo apt purge (configuration files are deleted).
• Optional: Integrate unstable area for tests
  The unstable area (e.g. trixie-unstable in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/bhf.list) should only be used on test systems to evaluate preliminary packages. Use on production systems is not recommended.