View source for Key Release Changes

= Package Management =

== Full Package Management ==

You can now easily add packages to the NST distribution using standard '''yum''' and '''rpm''' commands. This allows you to start with a initial NST distribution and then enhance it for your custom purposes.

This is only recommended after performing a hard disk installation of the NST.

== Live Systems Can Be Updated ==

You can perform package management commands using '''yum''' and '''rpm''' commands even if you boot NST Live (off of a DVD or USB drive). However, since the media is not writable, new packages which are downloaded and added will consume RAM.

Because of this, you should only install a few packages at a time for experimental purposes. If you were to attempt a full system update on a Live system, it is likely it will run out of memory.

== NST System Maintenance And Updates ==

NST is maintained via '''yum''' updates from '''Fedora''' and the '''Network Security Toolkit''' repositories. These sites are rundundantly located in case of system or network failures. See the section: "[[Getting_Started#Maintaining_And_Updating_NST | Maintaining And Updating NST]]" on the [[Getting_Started | Getting Started]] page for detailed information on upgrading and maintaining an NST system.

= Distribution Size - NST Minimal=

In order to update the NST distribution to support full package management, the full ISO distribution has increased significantly in size (over '''1.2GB'''). The full distribution can no longer be burned to CD media (you must burn it to a DVD or a USB drive).

If you have a system which can only boot from CD media (i.e., it can't read DVD media and does not support booting from a USB drive), you will not be able to run a full NST Live distribution.

However, it is still possible to perform a hard disk installation of the full NST distribution by starting with the [[NST Minimal]] ISO image. See the [[NST Minimal]] page if this applies to you.

= Low Memory NST Installation =

[[File:Thunderbolt.png|frame|left|'''[[Feature Release Symbol | <center>NST 2.16.0<br /> SVN: 3127</center>]]''']] Starting with '''NST 2.16.0''', the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaconda_(installer) anaconda] installer requires a minimum of '''768 MB''' of RAM for installation of '''NST'''. This limitation was probably set for running the [http://www.gnome.org/gnome-3/ Gnome 3 Desktop]. A headless '''NST''' system can still run many applications contained within the distribution using a minimum of '''512''' or '''640 MB''' of RAM installed. An unsupported method to circumvent this '''anaconda''' limitation is to remove the memory requirement check. Use these steps to accomplish this task:

* Boot the NST Live Distro.
* Edit the anaconda executable script: (''vi /usr/sbin/anaconda'').
* Add a python ''''return'''' statement right after the "'''check_memory'''" function.
* Make sure you left-justify the ''''return'''' statement with the "'''reason_strict'''" description string.
* Save your edited script.

<pre class="programListing">
def check_memory(anaconda, opts, display_mode=None):
    return
    reason_strict = _("%s requires %s MB of memory to install, but you only have "
                      "%s MB on this machine.\n")
</pre>

* Now perform your '''NST''' Live installation using the "'''nstliveinst'''" installer.

= New Boot Types =
One may boot an NST system using a USB drive for systems capable of booting from USB. There are 2 different types of NST USB installs. First, Fedora provides a "'''Live USB Creator'''" application that allows '''NST Live''' to be installed to a USB drive from an already booted '''NST Live''' system. Secondly, one can use the "'''nstliveinst'''" NST script to perform a hard disk install to a USB drive.

Once either one of the above USB installs is completed, one can simply plug in the USB drive into a system capable of booting from USB and bring up an instance of NST booted from USB.

= Initial Boot =


== Disabled Services ==

The following services are '''disabled''' until the default NST password is changed upon booting NST Live or after a fresh NST hard disk install. Run the '''nstpasswd''' script to set the password for the '''root''' user and then both the '''sshd''' and '''httpd''' service will automatically be enabled.

;sshd
:The '''SSH''' daemon providing secure encrypted communications between two untrusted hosts over an insecure network.

;httpd
:The Apache Hypertext Transfer Protocol Server ('''HTTP''') - Web server.

== Default Password ==

The default password is still ''nst2003''.

In prior releases, you had to set the password of the NST system each time you booted a system from the ISO image. This was a good practice as the ''https'' and ''sshd'' services were enabled by default when logging into system.

Starting with the new release, we no longer require you to set the NST password when the system boots. However, we no longer enable the '''https''' and '''sshd''' services until you run the '''nstpasswd''' script to set the system passwords.

Hence, the NST system acts as a client system (you won't be able to connect to it from other systems) until you secure it by running the '''nstpasswd''' script.

<!--
=== [[Image:Warning.png‎]] Security Risk ===

'''Note:''' This does NOT apply if you download the NST Virtual Machine. It also uses the default password of ''nst2003'', but does not disable the '''httpd''' and '''sshd''' services. If you download and boot the NST Virtual Machine, make sure that you run the '''nstpasswd''' command immediately after booting the system (or disable your virtual network connections) to prevent possible security exposures.
-->

== Graphical Desktop Session==

You now have the option on the boot screen to go directly to a graphical desktop session (you can choose between the '''Fluxbox''' or the '''GNOME''' desktop manager). The GNOME '''gdm''' graphical login screen manager is used. To login as the "'''root'''" user, choose "'''Other...'''",  type in the Username: "'''root'''", type in your '''NST Password''' and select a desktop manager ('''Fluxbox''' or '''GNOME''') on the bottom task bar.

See the section: "[[Getting_Started#Graphical_Desktop_Session | Graphical Desktop Session]]" on the [[Getting_Started | Getting Started]] page for detailed information on logging on to a desktop session.

== Media Check ==

At the initial boot screen, you can now perform a media check at the start of the boot. This should be done to verify your media (especially in situations where the NST system does not boot cleanly or behave properly).