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Introduction to CentOS, RHEL, and Rocky Linux
CentOS, RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux), and Rocky Linux are renowned Linux distributions, predominantly used in the realm of enterprise computing owing to their stability, security, and long-term support. While RHEL is a commercial offering from Red Hat, CentOS and Rocky Linux stand as its free, open-source counterparts.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to install RHEL, CentOS, and Rocky Linux. The tutorial aims to provide clear, step-by-step instructions that cater to both beginners venturing into Linux and experienced users seeking to explore these distributions.
These operating systems, although unique in their own respects, share a common foundation that can be traced back to the Red Hat Linux lineage. Understanding how to install CentOS, RHEL, or Rocky Linux will enrich your Linux knowledge and open new horizons in the enterprise Linux world.
Preparing for Installation
Before starting the installation of CentOS, RHEL, or Rocky Linux, you need to download the respective ISO image files. These are available on the official websites of these distributions. Ensure that you choose the correct architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) corresponding to your system.
Creating a bootable USB stick is the next step once you have downloaded the ISO file. Various utilities like Rufus, Etcher, or Fedora Media Writer can be used for this. Follow the tool’s instructions to create your bootable media.
Remember, any installation process carries a risk of data loss, so it’s highly recommended to back up your important files. It is better to be safe than sorry, after all. Also, make sure your system meets the minimum hardware requirements for the chosen distribution.
Initiating the Installation Process
Armed with your bootable USB stick, it’s time to boot your system from it. The key to access the boot menu varies from system to system, commonly F12, F10, or Esc. Once in the boot menu, select your bootable USB stick to initiate the process.
After booting, you’ll be greeted with the welcome screen where you need to choose your preferred language. Then, you’ll be led to the Installation Summary screen. Here, you need to configure the keyboard layout, installation source, software selection, and installation destination.
Configuring the installation destination is crucial as it involves partitioning your hard drive. The installer provides an automatic partitioning feature, but you can also opt for manual partitioning if you prefer a custom layout.
Completing the Installation
Once the partitions are set up, you can begin the installation by clicking on the ‘Begin Installation’ button. While the installer copies files to your hard drive, you can set the root password and create a new user account. It’s good practice to create a regular user account with administrative privileges for day-to-day use.
After the installer finishes the installation, you’ll see a ‘Complete!’ message. Click on ‘Reboot System’, and don’t forget to remove your installation media to avoid booting from it again.
Upon rebooting, if you’ve installed CentOS or Rocky Linux, you’ll be taken straight to the login screen. However, for RHEL, you need to accept the License Agreement upon the first boot.
Getting Started with CentOS/RHEL/Rocky Linux
Having successfully installed your chosen Linux distribution, it’s now time to familiarize yourself with your new operating system. Each of these systems – CentOS, RHEL, and Rocky Linux, although similar, have unique features and configurations that you can explore.
To keep your system secure and up-to-date, ensure to regularly check for and install updates. You can do this by using the ‘yum’ package manager from the terminal. If you’re more comfortable with a GUI, you can use the Software Update tool.
Remember, the journey doesn’t stop at installation. The real adventure begins as you delve deeper into your Linux experience, learning new commands, setting up your environment, and exploring new software.
