CentOS is a popular open-source Linux distribution aimed at servers and provides compatibility with Red Hat’s RPM package manager. It is built with the goal of providing a stable operating system that provided great compatibility with the upstream RHEL (Red hat enterprise Linux) CentOS is therefore one of the best free Linux distributions to utilize in server space.
Installation is divided into three parts :
- ISO Download
- Preparing a bootable USB
- Final Setup
ISO Download
Before we begin the installation process, we need to download the ISO file for CentOS. For that, all the versions of CentOS are available on the official site centos.org.
Step 1: Go to the CentOS website and go to the downloads tab.
Step 2: Click on the correct ISO file for your system architecture (most likely x86_64 for modern systems).
Step 3: Choose a mirror to download the ISO from (preferably from mirrors in your region for better download speeds).
Step 4: Download the version that says DVD-2009.iso
Preparing a bootable USB
Step 1: Now, Connect the USB flash drive to your system.
Step 2: Use a tool like an etcher or UNetbootin, etc to flash the drive.
Note: To enter the BIOS a special hotkey is required, this key can differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and model to model. For example, the hp laptop uses F10 and ESC keys as its primary hotkeys for the step.
Final setup
Step 1: Click on the option “Install CentOS 7” and wait till Graphical Interface appears.
Step 2: Choose your installation language. Here, we have chosen English.
Step 3: Configure options such as date and time, network configuration, etc.
Step 4: Choose the software to be installed depending on the use case and familiarity with the desktop.
Step 5: Choose the disk where the distribution should be installed.
Step 6: Our Installation process has been started successfully.
Step 7: Now, set up a root password and user account in the meanwhile.
Step 8: After installation is completed successfully, reboot and accept the license agreement.
Step 9: Now, log in to the system using the credentials created in Step 6.
Step 10: Complete the initial setup and the system is ready for use.
Step 11: We have successfully completed the installation process of CentOS.