Why can't I install plugins when there is an update available?

[amuckart]

OPNSense refuses to allow plugin or package installation if there is an update available.

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***GOT REQUEST TO INSTALL***
Currently running OPNsense 23.7.10_1 at Wed Jan 17 15:08:10 NZDT 2024
Installation out of date. The update to opnsense-23.7.12 is required.
***DONE***

This is incredibly infuriating when the update requires a reboot and therefore extended change control and I'm stuck unable to implement something else until I've updated and rebooted.

Why is it like this?

[Monviech (Cedrik)]

Its because they might change something (like adding a new base field type) and they adjust all plugins for that new field type. (Just as an example)

Then if you install the new plugin without the latest framework of the core system, the plugin would crash with "Unknown field type in model".

Example of 23.7.12 patch notes:
- mvc: add an IPPortField type

[mimizone]

I was actually wondering if it was not the behavior in the past, or at least that it was possible to install the right version of the plugin for the currently installed version of opnsense.

That requirement of being on the exact same minor version of opnsense is definitely cumbersome.
I was expecting that a minor version bump shouldn't be required since it's usually for security and bug fixes and not new features. For instance I have 24.1.6 running now and can't installed ddclient without installing 24.1.8 and rebooting.

It's not a big deal at home, I will just have to find a time when my teenager will be ok losing the internet for 5 minutes :)
But in an enterprise setup, you would definitely need a HA setup to avoid a downtime.

Unless there is a way to force the installation of a previous version? Is that what the flavour settings is for?

[franco]

You install the plugin for the latest version so you need the latest version too.

Or you can always pin your firmware flavour to a particular version:

https://pkg.opnsense.org/FreeBSD:13:amd64/24.1/MINT/

Or you can proceed to install from the console anyway:

# pkg install os-plugin-name


Cheers,
Franco

[mimizone]

thanks for confirming the flavour is the way to go to install other version.
What's the actual syntax to use in the Settings? I don't see any documentation.
Trying the URL "https://pkg.opnsense.org/FreeBSD:13:amd64/24.1/MINT/24.1.8/" or "FreeBSD:13:amd64/24.1/MINT/24.1.8" didn't work.

[franco]

24.1/MINT/24.1.8/latest

[mimizone]

Thanks. Very helpful!

I had to tweak it a bit. The actual one is

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24.1/MINT/24.1.8/latest
so then it can find the meta.txz file properly

[franco]

Yes, sorry about that. Fixed my reply as well.


Cheers,
Franco