How to Use Fedora Silverblue

Edited 6 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Welcome to the world of Fedora Silverblue, where you will experience a new way to use Linux. Fedora Silverblue is an innovative version of Fedora that focuses on immutability and stability. This guide will help you understand how to use Fedora Silverblue effectively. We will cover installation, daily use, package management, and more, giving you comprehensive information to get the most out of your Silverblue system.

Understanding Fedora Silverblue

Fedora Silverblue is a variant of Fedora Workstation designed around an immutable core operating system. This means that the system image is read-only and cannot be changed except through necessary updates and software patches. The core principles of Silverblue are durability, consistency, and immutability. The idea is that it provides a stable foundation while giving flexibility through containerized applications.

Immutability: A new paradigm

The immutable nature of Silverblue means that the operating system does not change under your feet. You can trust that every boot will bring the same exact OS image, which brings tremendous benefits with regard to stability. In environments where stability is critical, such as development and testing, this immutable nature is especially valuable.

OStree: A different approach

Fedora Silverblue uses OSTree, a tool for managing the entire file system tree. Think of it as a version control system for your operating system. Updates and changes are managed as atomic operations. Any changes you apply can be seamlessly rolled back, meaning troubleshooting is easy and safe.

Installing Fedora Silverblue

The installation of Fedora Silverblue is quite simple and is similar to the installation of Fedora Workstation. Here are the general steps, but keep in mind that it is always a good idea to back up your important data before proceeding with the installation.

1. Download the ISO: Go to the Fedora Project website and download the Silverblue ISO image.
2. Create a bootable USB: Use a tool like Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (Linux/Mac) to create a bootable USB stick.
3. Boot from USB: Insert the USB stick into your computer and boot from it. You may need to change your BIOS settings to boot from USB.
4. Install Silverblue: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Silverblue. You'll have the opportunity to partition your disk and set up users.
5. Reboot: After installation, reboot your computer. Your Fedora Silverblue will now be installed and ready to use.

Getting started with Fedora Silverblue

After a successful installation, you will see that Fedora Silverblue boots into a modern GNOME desktop environment. Here are some initial steps you may want to follow:

Setting up the Internet and updates

Make sure your network settings are configured correctly to connect to the internet. Silverblue should handle network connections automatically, but you can adjust settings in the GNOME Control Center if necessary. Check for updates immediately using the following command in your terminal:

    $ rpm-ostree update $ rpm-ostree upgrade

The system will fetch and apply the necessary updates, ensuring you have the latest security patches and features. After updating, consider rebooting to apply the changes.

Using Flatpak for applications

Unlike traditional Linux systems that rely on RPM or DEB package managers, Fedora Silverblue uses Flatpak for most applications. Flatpak allows apps to be sandboxed and more limited. You can install apps using the command-line or the graphical GNOME Software application.

Use the following commands to find and install applications using Flatpak:

    $ flatpak search <application-name> $ flatpak install <application-name>

You can replace <application-name> with the name of the app you want to search for and install.

Managing software and updates

Fedora Silverblue's update mechanism via rpm-ostree makes it easy to maintain the operating system. Here's a closer look at how to keep your system software up to date:

Layering packages

Sometimes, you may need to install RPM packages directly on Silverblue. This is where 'layering' comes into play. Use the following command to layer packages:

    $ rpm-ostree install <package-name>

Remember that this is different from a traditional RPM installation, because rpm-ostree manages these packages in a layered manner. After installing the package, you will need to reboot for the changes to take effect.

Rollback and rebase

If anything goes wrong with an update or package installation, Fedora Silverblue offers great rollback features. You can easily revert to a previous state:

    $ rpm-ostree rollback

If you want to base your system on a different branch (for example, the testing branch), you can use:

    $ rpm-ostree rebase <branch-name>

Working with containers

Containerization is an important part of Fedora Silverblue. Instead of traditional package installation, containers allow you to run any software that has dependencies completely isolated from the rest of the system.

Podman: Manage containers

Fedora Silverblue comes with Podman, a tool for managing OCI containers. Podman allows you to create, run, and manage containers on your system just like Docker. Here are some basic Podman commands:

    # To pull an image: $ podman pull <image-name> # To run a container: $ podman run -it <image-name> /bin/bash # To list running containers: $ podman ps # To stop a container: $ podman stop <container-id>

Replace <image-name> and <container-id> with the appropriate names or IDs. Podman commands are very similar to Docker commands, making it easier for those familiar with Docker to use Podman.

Integrating workflows

Fedora Silverblue fits well into modern development and productivity workflows. Its container-native approach can be beneficial for developers who need different environments for different projects.

Development on Silverblue

Developers can use tools like toolbox to create a mutable containerized environment within Silverblue, allowing for traditional package installation. Here's how you can create and enter a toolbox:

    # Install toolbox (if necessary) $ sudo dnf install toolbox # Create a new toolbox environment $ toolbox create # Enter the toolbox environment $ toolbox enter

Inside the Toolbox, you can use a package manager like dnf to install development tools, libraries, or any software you need, as if you were using a modified Fedora Workstation.

System performance and stability

With the atomic update system and rollback feature, you can maintain system stability over long periods of time. The immutable file system means that bugs or corruptions can be addressed en masse with package updates, reducing downtime and unpredictable behavior.

Collaboration in teams

Because of its consistent environment, Fedora Silverblue is particularly advantageous in development teams where different members require the same setup for testing and development, thus eliminating the "it works on my machine" problem.

Conclusion

Fedora Silverblue represents a step forward in the evolution of the Linux operating system, emphasizing immutability, containerization, and ease of updates. By providing a stable base and allowing applications to be isolated from one another, Silverblue offers a unique platform for both everyday Linux users and developers who want to build and test in a consistent environment.

Embrace the simplicity, stability, and power of Fedora Silverblue as it delivers a transformational computing experience.

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