Overview
Marketplace Quick Select is a feature that can first be accessed during the “Getting Started” configuration wizard. It is also available from the Marketplace in Webconfig.
As its name implies, Quick Select is designed to efficiently select and install apps and packages for ClearOS. Quick Select Files (QSF) contain metadata used by the ClearOS Marketplace engine. Rather than browsing through long lists of apps, advanced users who are familiar with ClearOS, the Marketplace model and available apps will appreciate the reduced time spent in configuring ClearOS for the first time.
In addition to ClearOS apps, Quick Select also supports non-app packages. If you are not familiar in this distinction, refer to the section below.
Where do I use QSF files?
Marketplace Quick Select Files can be used in two areas of the ClearOS Webconfig UI.
- Post install Getting Started wizard
- In the ClearOS Marketplace
You will notice, post installation, just a minimum set of apps and supporting packages are installed on your server. The Getting Started wizard guides the admin through required settings. Once you reach the Marketplace step, you are presented with four options to proceed. One of these options is to use QSF to select what apps and packages should be installed. Select this option by highlighting it, and click on Next to upload your QSF file.
On the following step in the Wizard, you will be asked to upload your QSF file.
Once you have uploaded your QSF file, if successful, the form will display how many apps and packages you have installed. It will also display, in tile format, all apps that are available. Apps that were included in the QSF file will already be highlighted for installation. If you want to customize, you can do so before proceeding to the final step - installing the apps.
If you chose to skip the Quick Select option during the wizard or would like to run through another QSF upload, you can do so by clicking on the Marketplace link in the top right hand corner of Webconfig. On the Marketplace page, under Tools in the left hand navigation bar, select Quick Select File. You will be presented with a similar set of forms and steps as previously described and during the wizard.
Where can I get QSF files?
ClearCenter and the ClearFoundation Community
ClearCenter provides a number of Quick Select Files on the QSF Listing. In addition, ClearFoundation community members have also contributed their own QSF definitions along with a brief description of the target audience/use.
Create Your Own
There is nothing magical about a QSF file. If you deploy ClearOS on a regular basis for either on-premise or in the cloud application hosting, creating your own custom QSF file(s) can significantly reduce your deployment time.
Using any text editor (vim, nano, gedit, notepad etc.), create a text document with any extension, but .txt is recommended. Follow the format described in the section below.
App vs. Non-App Packages
Any software installed via the ClearOS package manager engine (YUM) are collectively referred to as packages.
Apps
In ClearOS, an app is just a specialized package in that it contains code that builds upon Webconfig - the ClearOS User Interface. Examples of apps for ClearOS are always prefixed by 'app-'. Examples include:
- app-smtp (SMTP server)
- app-zarafa-small-business (Zarafa SMB Collaboration Suite)
- app-firewall-incoming (ClearOS incoming firewall wizard)
- etc.
Apps can always be found in the ClearOS Marketplace by scrolling through the listing or searching on specific keywords. You can also find an up-to-date list on the ClearCenter website.
Non-App Packages
Packages that are not specifically related to ClearOS's Webconfig (eg. not prefixed with 'app-') are simply referred to as packages or RPM's - no different to other RPM-based distributions such as CentOS or RedHat. In earlier versions of ClearOS, an administrator had to drop down to the command line to install packages not selected for install by default. Examples of non-app packages are:
- wget (Network file transfer utility)
- iptraf (Network traffic and statistics monitor)
- vim-enhanced (VI editor with enhanced features/functions)
- etc.
With Quick Select Files, admins can now select any number of non-app packages that they would normally install manually to have access to the tools and features used in deploying and managing ClearOS.
Quick Select File Format
The following is an example of a Quick Select File. Comments are preceded with a hash (#) whereas apps and non-apps (packages) are listed by package name (not filename). There are a couple of parameters that can be set using a “key=value” format. These are described below.
# Quick Select File - Version 1.0 app-content-filter app-web-proxy app-proxy-report vim-enhanced enable_repo=clearos-updates-testing
Comments
Any line preceded by a hash (#).
Apps/Non-Apps (Packages) for inclusion
Any line that does not precede with a hash, nor start with a reserved keyword (qsf_flag or enable_repo), is considered an app or package for installation.
Almost all apps have dependencies…a requirement of other packages to be installed to support the one you have selected. Dependencies do not have to be included in your QSF file since they are handled by the package manager (YUM) at the time of installation.
Flags and Parameters
Enabling Repositories
enable_repo=REPO_NAME
Used to enable repos not enabled by default allowing packages in these repositories to be defined in the app list and installed.
Disabling/Excluding Paid Apps
qsf_flag_no_paid
Flag to ignore any paid app that is not potentially included in the subscription services a registered system is subscribed to.