[elrepo] Using Elrepo and Epel together?

[Phil Perry]

Mike Hanby wrote:
> Howdy,
> 
> We currently use EPEL on all of our EL5 systems and I'd like to start using ELRepo as well to use the Kmod drivers.
> 
> Is it generally considered safe to mix packages between these two repositories? Looking through the list of available packages it appears to be safe, just figured I'd ask since Google didn't reveal anything.
> 
> I plan to test it, obviously, but it's always good to get other opinions.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Mike
> 

Hi Mike,

Generally, yes it is safe to use ELRepo with other repositories.

Obviously you are aware of the risks of mixing repos. I'm not overly 
familiar with the packages in EPEL that may conflict, but from a very 
quick look through that repository I only see overlap on a couple 
wireless firmware packages.

Besides our kmod packaged drivers, we also ship firmware for wireless 
network drivers and also the odd package required to support our kmods, 
like an updated lm_sensors package to support some hwmon drivers (e.g, 
coretemp, it87 etc) and some user space tools like reiserfs-utils to 
accompany kmod-reiserfs. We provide these for repo closure and otherwise 
would encourage where ever possible all non-kmod packages to be directed 
to another 3rd party repo such as rpmforge or EPEL. Hopefully this in 
itself makes ELRepo safe(r) to mix with other repositories.

Hope that helps,

Phil