Agama Installer: The Future of Linux Installation

 

Agama Installer: The Future of Linux Installation

Welcome to our comprehensive overview of the Agama Installer! Whether you're a seasoned Linux user or just starting out, this short overview presents everything you need to know about Agama, its origins, features, and how it compares to the YaST installer.

Introduction to Agama Installer

Agama is a modern Linux installer designed to offer reusability, integration with third-party tools, and the ability to build advanced user interfaces. Born from the core of the YaST team, Agama aims to overcome some of the limitations of YaST while serving as an installer for new projects based on the SUSE Linux Framework One.

Origin and History

Agama's journey began as an initiative to address the ageing architecture and technical debt of YaST. With over 20 years of experience, YaST had become a mature and flexible installer but faced challenges in designing modern user interfaces and sharing logic with other tools like Salt or Ansible. Agama was created to provide a fresh, efficient, and user-friendly installation experience while maintaining compatibility with AutoYaST for unattended installations.

Features of Agama Installer

Agama boasts several impressive features:

- Web-Based Interface: Agama features a powerful web-based interface that can be used for local graphical installations and accessed remotely from any device with a browser.

- Command-Line Tool: For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, Agama includes a robust command-line interface for driving and monitoring the installation process.

- Interactive and Unattended Installations: Agama supports both interactive and unattended installations, allowing users to mix manual work with automation.

- Integration with Third-Party Tools: Agama can be controlled and monitored via an HTTP API, making it easy to integrate with other tools like Uyuni.

- Backwards Compatibility: Agama maintains a high level of compatibility with AutoYaST, ensuring it can act as a drop-in replacement for unattended installations.

Supported Products

Comparison with YaST Installer

While both Agama and YaST are powerful Linux installers, there are some key differences:

- User Interface: YaST offers a Qt-based graphical interface and a terminal-based interface, while Agama focuses on a modern web-based interface and a command-line tool.

- Flexibility: YaST is known for its flexibility and extensive configuration capabilities, covering almost every aspect of a Linux system. Agama, on the other hand, focuses on system installation and minimises overlapping with more general configuration tools.

- Unattended Installations: Both support unattended installations, but Agama provides a high level of compatibility with AutoYaST, making it easier to transition between the two.

- Integration: Agama's HTTP API allows for easier integration with third-party tools, whereas YaST's architecture can make sharing logic with other tools more challenging.

Conclusion

Agama Installer represents the future of Linux installation, offering a seamless and modern experience while maintaining compatibility with existing tools and practices. Whether you're looking for a user-friendly interface or powerful automation capabilities, Agama has something to offer.

Disclaimer

Please note that this overview is provided for educational purposes only. Always refer to the official documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Citations

- Agama Project Documentation

- GitHub - agama-project/agama: A service-based Linux installer

- YaST