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Installing CentOS on a Server

CentOS (Community ENTerprise Operating System) is a free and open-source Linux distribution derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). This guide will walk you through the process of installing CentOS on a server.

Prerequisites

• A server or virtual machine meeting CentOS system requirements
• A bootable USB drive or DVD with the CentOS ISO
• A stable internet connection
• A backup of any important data on the server (if applicable)

Step 1: Download CentOS

1. Visit the official CentOS website: https://www.centos.org/download/
2. Select the appropriate version (CentOS Stream or CentOS 7, depending on your needs).
3. Download the ISO file (choose Minimal, DVD, or Everything image as per your requirements).

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive

If installing via USB, create a bootable drive:

• Windows: Use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive.
• Linux/macOS: Use the dd command:sudo dd if=/path/to/centos.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress(Replace /dev/sdX with your actual USB device name.)

Step 3: Boot from Installation Media

1. Insert the bootable USB or DVD into the server.
2. Access the BIOS/UEFI by pressing the designated key during boot (commonly F2, F12, DEL, or ESC).
3. Set the boot order to prioritize the USB/DVD.
4. Save and exit, allowing the server to boot from the CentOS installation media.

Step 4: Begin Installation

1. At the CentOS boot menu, select Install CentOS and press Enter.
2. Choose your preferred language and click Continue.

Step 5: Configure Installation

1. Keyboard Layout – Select and confirm your keyboard settings.
2. Time & Date – Choose your correct timezone.
3. Installation Source – Defaults to the inserted media.
4. Software Selection – Choose from minimal, server with GUI, or other environments.
5. Installation Destination – Select the disk for installation. Use automatic partitioning unless custom setup is required.
6. Network & Hostname – Enable network interfaces and set a hostname.

Step 6: Begin Installation

1. Click Begin Installation.
2. While the installation is in progress, set the root password and create an optional user account.
3. Once the installation completes, click Reboot.

Step 7: Post-Installation Setup

1. Remove the installation media and boot into your new CentOS system.
2. Log in as root or the created user.
3. Update the system:sudo yum update -y
4. (Optional) Install essential packages:sudo yum install -y nano wget curl epel-release
5. Configure firewall and security settings as needed.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed CentOS on your server. From here, you can proceed with configuring your server for specific use cases such as web hosting, database management, or network services.

For further customization and setup guides, check CentOS documentation at: https://docs.centos.org/