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12.2.2. Installing

RPM packages typically have file names like foo-1.0-1.i386.rpm. The file name includes the package name (foo), version (1.0), release (1), and architecture (i386). To install a package, log in as root and type the following command at a shell prompt:
rpm -ivh foo-1.0-1.i386.rpm
Alternatively, the following command can also be used:
rpm -Uvh foo-1.0-1.i386.rpm
If the installation is successful, the following output is displayed:
Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]
   1:foo                    ########################################### [100%]
As you can see, RPM prints out the name of the package and then prints a succession of hash marks as a progress meter while the package is installed.
The signature of a package is checked automatically when installing or upgrading a package. The signature confirms that the package was signed by an authorized party. For example, if the verification of the signature fails, an error message such as the following is displayed:
error: V3 DSA signature: BAD, key ID 0352860f
If it is a new, header-only, signature, an error message such as the following is displayed:
error: Header V3 DSA signature: BAD, key ID 0352860f
If you do not have the appropriate key installed to verify the signature, the message contains the word NOKEY such as:
warning: V3 DSA signature: NOKEY, key ID 0352860f
Refer to Section 12.3, “Checking a Package's Signature” for more information on checking a package's signature.

Warning

If you are installing a kernel package, you should use rpm -ivh instead. Refer to Chapter 44, Manually Upgrading the Kernel for details.

12.2.2.1. Package Already Installed

If a package of the same name and version is already installed, the following output is displayed:
Preparing...                ########################################### [100%]
package foo-1.0-1 is already installed
However, if you want to install the package anyway, you can use the --replacepkgs option, which tells RPM to ignore the error:
rpm -ivh --replacepkgs foo-1.0-1.i386.rpm
This option is helpful if files installed from the RPM were deleted or if you want the original configuration files from the RPM to be installed.