How to Install Red Hat Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Installing Red Hat Linux can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to Linux. Don’t worry, though, because we’re here to guide you every step of the way. The critical starting point is preparing your boot media, whether it’s a USB drive or a DVD. This ensures you have the right tools to get your system up and running smoothly.

Now, let’s break it down. Once your boot media is ready, the magic begins. Boot up your system and you’ll enter the installation menu. It’s crucial to follow the steps methodically—configuring your date, time, network, and partitions. Pay special attention to setting your root password and creating user accounts, both essential for system security.

Lastly, don’t forget to register your system and attach any necessary subscriptions. This not only keeps your Red Hat Linux updated but also grants you access to support and additional resources. From our experience, these straightforward steps make a world of difference in the ease and success of your installation process. Let’s dive in together!

Preparing for RHEL Installation

Before we dive into the installation process, let’s discuss some essential preparation steps. These include understanding the different RHEL versions, ensuring your system meets the requirements, and creating the bootable installation media.

Understanding RHEL Versions

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) comes in multiple versions, each tailored for specific use cases and architectures. It’s essential to choose the right version for your needs.

For instance, RHEL 8 supports AMD, Intel, 64-bit ARM, and IBM Z architectures. Meanwhile, RHEL 9 has extended support for IBM Power and other platforms.

Selecting the correct version impacts compatibility and performance. We should visit the Red Hat Customer Portal to download the appropriate ISO image.

System Requirements

Before installation, ensure your system meets the minimum hardware specifications:

It’s also advisable to have a stable internet connection, particularly if you’re opting for a network installation.

Creating Bootable Installation Media

Creating a bootable installation media can be done using a USB drive, DVD, or network:

1. USB Drive:

   • Download and copy the ISO image to a USB drive using tools like Rufus or Balena Etcher. Ensure the USB drive is connected before starting the installation.

2. DVD:

   • Burn the ISO image onto a DVD. Using tools like ImgBurn ensures the media is correctly formatted.

3. Network Installation:

   • A PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) setup is perfect for large-scale deployments. Registering RHEL from the Content Delivery Network (CDN) during this setup streamlines the process.

Each method has its advantages. USB drives work well for most users due to their convenience, while network installations are suitable for larger deployments.

In the end, appropriately preparing for RHEL installation sets the foundation for a smooth, trouble-free setup. This preparation ensures compatibility and efficiency as we move forward.

Initiating the RHEL Installation

Let’s start with how to launch the Anaconda installer and manage your installation destination along with partitioning. Each step is essential for a successful Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) installation.

Launching the Anaconda Installer

First things first, grab your installation media. This can be a DVD ISO image or an installation source located on a network. If you’re using physical media, insert the DVD into your server’s disk drive or mount the ISO image on a virtual machine.

Next, power up your machine and configure it to boot from the chosen installation media. You might need to tweak BIOS settings to set the boot priority.

As the system starts, you should see a boot prompt. Choose the option to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This kicks off the Anaconda installer. For a smoother experience, use the graphical user interface (GUI) option.

Take a moment to check the installation media integrity, especially if you’ve downloaded it. Those extra minutes can save you from a corrupted installation.

Installation Destination and Partitioning

Now let’s talk installation destination. Select the disk where RHEL will reside. You’ll see a list of available disks; choose the appropriate one.

We can either go with automatic partitioning or manual partitioning.

Automatic partitioning is straightforward. The system sets up the necessary partitions like root, home, swap space, etc.

For those who prefer more control or have specific requirements, manual partitioning is the way to go. Create partitions like root (/), home (/home), boot (/boot), and swap. Consider using Logical Volume Manager (LVM), which provides flexibility for managing disk space.

Once your partitions are set, proceed to confirm and apply the changes. From there, the installer will proceed to copy files and set up the system.

Configuring RHEL System Settings

Configuring Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) involves several crucial tasks that ensure the system is tailored to your requirements. Let’s walk through setting up network and hostname, configuring system locale and timezone, and managing root access and user accounts.

Setting Up Network and Hostname

Setting up the network and hostname is crucial for connectivity and identification. We start by opening the network settings via the graphical installation interface. Here, we can configure IP addresses, DNS servers, and gateway settings.

To set the hostname:

1. Navigate to Settings > Network.
2. Enter your desired hostname under the Hostname field.
3. Apply settings to activate.

For network configuration, use tools like nmcli, which allows us to manage and view network status via the command line:

nmcli device show
nmcli connection add con-name "MyConnection" type ethernet ifname eth0

Finally, check the connectivity with:

ping google.com

This ensures our system is connected and identified on the network.

Configuring System Locale and Timezone

Setting the locale and timezone ensures the system uses the correct language and time settings. These can be configured during installation or later.

To set the locale:

1. Open Settings > Region & Language.
2. Choose your preferred language and keyboard layout.
3. Apply and save changes.

For the timezone:

1. Navigate to Settings > Date & Time.
2. Enable automatic timezone detection or manually select your timezone from the map.
3. Apply settings to update.

Using the command line to configure timezone:

timedatectl set-timezone America/New_York

This ensures logs and system times are accurate and consistent with our location.

Managing Root Access and User Accounts

Managing users and root access is crucial for system security. Begin with setting a strong root password during installation:

1. At the Root Password prompt, enter a strong password.
2. Confirm the password, ensuring complexity rules are met.

Creating user accounts post-installation:

1. Open Settings > Users.
2. Click Add User and fill in the required details.
3. Assign a user ID if needed, otherwise, it will auto-assign.

Granting sudo privileges:

usermod -aG wheel username

This allows us to manage the system efficiently while maintaining security and access control.

Finalizing the RHEL Installation

After the main installation process, we move on to some crucial steps to ensure the system runs smoothly and securely. These steps include selecting the appropriate software, applying your Red Hat subscription, and completing the initial setup.

Selecting Software and Environment Options

We start by picking the software and environment. During the installation, we’re prompted to choose the Base Environment. Options include:

• Server with GUI: Ideal for those who prefer a graphical user interface like GNOME.
• Workstation: Best suited for personal or professional workstations.
• Minimal Installation: Provides a lean setup with only the essential packages.

Selecting the right environment sets up your system for specific tasks and efficiency. We also have the option to enable additional software packages in this section, like security policies and development tools, to enhance system capabilities.

Applying License and Subscription

Next, we need to register our system and apply a subscription. It’s essential to:

1. Register with the Red Hat Customer Portal.
2. Attach the necessary subscriptions.

In the graphical installation program, we are typically prompted to enter our Red Hat account details to register. This step ensures that we receive updates and support.

Completing Initial Setup

Finally, after applying our subscription, we need to complete the initial setup. This includes:

1. Setting the System Language and Keyboard Layout: Choose your preferred language and keyboard to ensure proper system use.
2. Creating User Accounts: Set up a root password and a primary user account. This step also allows for assigning administrative privileges.
3. Configuring Network Settings: Ensure that your system is connected to the network properly to enable updates and access to network resources.

The initial setup prepares our system for day-to-day tasks and ensures that everything is configured according to our needs. The system may then reboot, and we should have a fully operational RHEL installation ready for use.