# Install ola with Homebrew, apt, MacPorts, Nix Open Lighting Architecture for lighting control information. Version 0.10.9 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-20. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:ola ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install ola ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install ola ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: net/ola/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install libola-dev ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: libola-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#ola ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ol/ola/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:ola - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 0.10.9 - **Source summary:** Open Lighting Architecture for lighting control information - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** GPL-2.0-or-later AND LGPL-2.1-or-later - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-20T05:07:44Z - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T18:08:21+00:00 ## Executables - ola_artnet (cli) - ola_dev_info (cli) - ola_dmxconsole (cli) - ola_dmxmonitor (cli) - ola_e131 (cli) - ola_patch (cli) - ola_plugin_info (cli) - ola_plugin_state (cli) - ola_rdm_discover (cli) - ola_rdm_get (cli) - ola_rdm_set (cli) - ola_recorder (cli) - ola_set_dmx (cli) - ola_set_priority (cli) - ola_streaming_client (cli) - ola_timecode (cli) - ola_trigger (cli) - ola_uni_info (cli) - ola_uni_merge (cli) - ola_uni_name (cli) - ola_uni_stats (cli) - ola_usbpro (cli) - olad (cli) - rdmpro_sniffer (cli) - usbpro_firmware (cli) - ola_artnet (alias) - ola_dev_info (alias) - ola_dmxconsole (alias) - ola_dmxmonitor (alias) - ola_e131 (alias) - ola_patch (alias) - ola_plugin_info (alias) - ola_plugin_state (alias) - ola_rdm_discover (alias) - ola_rdm_get (alias) - ola_rdm_set (alias) - ola_recorder (alias) - ola_set_dmx (alias) - ola_set_priority (alias) - ola_streaming_client (alias) - ola_timecode (alias) - ola_trigger (alias) - ola_uni_info (alias) - ola_uni_merge (alias) - ola_uni_name (alias) - ola_uni_stats (alias) - ola_usbpro (alias) - olad (alias) - rdmpro_sniffer (alias) - usbpro_firmware (alias) ## Dependencies - abseil - liblo - libmicrohttpd - libusb - numpy - protobuf ## Build dependencies - autoconf - automake - cppunit - libtool - pkgconf ## Uses from macOS - ncurses ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Service: declared - Caveats: Python support has been removed due to: https://github.com/OpenLightingProject/ola/issues/2008 - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 0.10.9 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-20 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/OpenLightingProject/ola - info: No cached GitHub release or tag data was available. ## Project history and usage Open Lighting Architecture, packaged as ola, is a C++ framework and daemon for entertainment-lighting control. It abstracts DMX512, RDM, Art-Net, sACN, USB DMX interfaces, and related protocols so lighting software can generate control data without implementing every transport and hardware backend itself. ### Project history OLA began within the Open Lighting Project. The project's history page records the first linux-lighting mailing-list post on 2008-07-21 and the 2009-07-28 rename from LLA, Linux Lighting Architecture, to OLA, Open Lighting Architecture, because the software had grown beyond Linux. The project moved repositories to GitHub on 2013-12-24 after outgrowing its previous hosting site. The OpenLightingProject/ola repository was created on GitHub on 2013-12-16, matching that migration period. ### Adoption history OLA's adoption is tied to the open-source lighting-control community and to the practical difficulty of speaking many fixture, network, and USB protocols. Official documentation describes OLA as a framework library, a C++ client API, and the olad main program; the public site emphasizes standalone protocol conversion, API-backed lighting software, and ARM platforms for low-cost Ethernet-to-DMX gateways. Its packaging across Homebrew, Debian/Ubuntu as libola-dev, MacPorts, Nix, and FreeBSD reflects a cross-platform tool used by developers and integrators rather than a single desktop application. It also appears in hardware and media-art contexts such as Raspberry Pi DMX gateways, Pure Data bridges, and embedded-lighting presentations. ### How it is used Operators run olad as a service, patch universes to physical or network outputs, monitor DMX values, discover and configure RDM devices, and use command-line tools such as ola_dmxconsole, ola_patch, ola_rdm_get, ola_rdm_set, and ola_set_dmx. Developers use libola and client bindings as a backend for controllers and protocol gateways. ### Why package nerds care OLA is package-nerd catnip because it turns a messy physical-protocol world into a daemon, libraries, and many tiny CLIs. It is also a reminder that package managers do not only distribute web and developer tools; they preserve infrastructure for theaters, clubs, art installations, churches, hobby rigs, and embedded gateways. ### Timeline - 2008-07-21: The first linux-lighting mailing-list status post was sent. - 2009-07-28: LLA was renamed to OLA to reflect operation beyond Linux. - 2013-12-24: The Open Lighting Project announced its move to GitHub. - 2014-01-09: Simon Newton presented the Open Lighting Project at linux.conf.au 2014. - 2026-07-01: GitHub repository metadata reported 736 stars, 227 forks, C++ as the primary language, and the repository description 'The Travel Adaptor for the Lighting Industry.' ### Related projects - Related projects include Open Fixture Library, libartnet, Open Lighting Embedded, RDM responder testing tools, Art-Net, sACN, DMX512, RDM, and USB DMX hardware from vendors such as Enttec and DMXKing. ### Sources - - - - - - - - - ## Security Notes broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. escape, surveillance, or offensive capability signal. - **Geiger risk:** red / medium - broad file, network, media, or database tool signal - escape, surveillance, or offensive capability signal - formula declares a Homebrew service ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** ola - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 13 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Debian apt - libola-dev - 0.10.9.nojsmin-7.1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: libola-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Open Lighting Architecture - development libraries | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Debian apt - libola1t64 - 0.10.9.nojsmin-7.1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: libola1t64 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Open Lighting Architecture - shared libraries | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Debian apt - ola - 0.10.9.nojsmin-7.1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: ola from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Open Lighting Architecture | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Debian apt - ola-python - 0.10.9.nojsmin-7.1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: ola-python from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Open Lighting Architecture - Python Classes | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Debian apt - ola-rdm-tests - 0.10.9.nojsmin-7.1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: ola-rdm-tests from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | Open Lighting Architecture - RDM Responder Tests | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Nix - ola: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ol/ola/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - libola-dev - 0.10.9.nojsmin-4.1build2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libola-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | Open Lighting Architecture - development libraries | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Ubuntu apt - libola1t64 - 0.10.9.nojsmin-4.1build2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libola1t64 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | Open Lighting Architecture - shared libraries | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Ubuntu apt - ola - 0.10.9.nojsmin-4.1build2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: ola from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | Open Lighting Architecture | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Ubuntu apt - ola-python - 0.10.9.nojsmin-4.1build2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: ola-python from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | Open Lighting Architecture - Python Classes | https://www.openlighting.org/ - Ubuntu apt - ola-rdm-tests - 0.10.9.nojsmin-4.1build2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: ola-rdm-tests from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | Open Lighting Architecture - RDM Responder Tests | https://www.openlighting.org/ - MacPorts - ola: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: net/ola/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Related links - [Secret-risk packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/secret-risk-packages/) - Has protected-tool coverage, approval-gate, or non-low Geiger security signals. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Media and graphics packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/media-graphics-tools/) - Matched media, image, audio, video, or graphics metadata. - [liblo](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/liblo/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [numpy](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/numpy/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [protobuf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/protobuf/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [autoconf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/autoconf/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [automake](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/automake/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [cppunit](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/cppunit/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [libtool](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/libtool/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [gstreamer](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/gstreamer/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, framework, media. - [mlt](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mlt/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, framework, media. - [vapoursynth](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/vapoursynth/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, framework, media. - [a52dec](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/a52dec/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, media. - [aalib](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/aalib/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, media. - [ab-av1](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ab-av1/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, media. - [abcde](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/abcde/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, media. - [abcm2ps](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/abcm2ps/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, media. - [airspy](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/airspy/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, info, libusb, media. - [airspyhf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/airspyhf/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, info, libusb, media. - [carla](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/carla/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, control, liblo, media. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/ola.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/ola.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph