How to Install CentOS 8

There are many different Linux distributions and oriented to many things. In the server field, Red Hat Enterprise Linux and CentOS are some of the most popular. But the detail with RHEL is that it is paid but CentOS is not. There are differences between them? few really because CentOS is a binary level clone of RHEL. So it’s like having an enterprise system but for free.

So it’s good to know how to install it if you plan to have a home server. And this post will help you how to install CentOS on a computer.

1. Chose installation options

The CentOS 8 ISO image is available from the project website. Once you download it, create a USB drive and connect it to your computer to start the process.

When you plug it in, you will see the following screen:

Initial Screen
Initial Screen

You can either check the integrity of the installation disk or directly start the process. In this case, choose the first option.

2. Select Language

Then, you will see the welcome screen where you have to select the language of the installation and the system. CentOS is translated into many languages so you will have no problem finding yours. Select it and click Continue.

Select the Language installation
Select the Language installation

3. Installation Summary

Then, you will see a screen with many options. You should review the most important ones.

Installation Summary screen
Installation Summary screen

4. Choose Keyboard Layout

First, choose the Keyboard layout that as with the language there are many available.

Select Keyboard Layout
Select Keyboard Layout

By default, it is English, but to change it click on the + button and choose yours. Then, remove the English.

Adding a new Keyboard Layout before installing CentOS
Adding a new Keyboard Layout before installing CentOS

5. Select TimeZone

The next thing we have to do is define a time zone and the system time and date.

Configure the date and time for CentOS 8
Configure the date and time for CentOS 8

6. Network and Host Name

Now you have to activate the network, to do so, click on the Network section.

Network Section
Network Section

7. Installation Source

Choose the Installation Source and since I’m using a minimal image, the following screen will appear.

Installation Source screen
Installation Source screen

But to have a fully functional system for a normal user, we must also use a mirror.

So, choose the On the Network option and add a mirror. In my case, the “advanced hosters” mirror works well. To add it, choose http and Repository URL and the URL is:

http://mirrors.advancedhosters.com/centos/8.2.2004/BaseOS/x86_64/os

Also, it is convenient to add another repository for the rest of the applications. In the Additional Repositories section click on the + button and assign a name to it, and add this address:

http://mirrors.advancedhosters.com/centos/8.2.2004/AppStream/x86_64/os

To guide you better see the image:

Adding a mirror to install CentOS
Adding a mirror to install CentOS

There are many mirrors available. One alternative is to choose the option of the nearest one. On this site, you will find the list of CentOS mirrors.

Then click on Done.

8. Installation Destination

Now comes the important part, which is to define the partitioning scheme. In this case, I am using an empty disk.

Installation destination screen
Installation destination screen

In this screen, the disks that the system has, are shown. In this case, it’s only one 18Gib. Below is the Storage Configuration section where you can choose the installer to do the whole process or you can do it manually. To do this, choose the Custom option and click on Done.

Storage Configuration
Storage Configuration

9. Create Partition

Now you will see the options to create a new partition. You even have another chance to create them automatically. Also, you can choose the partitioning scheme. In my case, I will choose Standard Partition and to create the new partition click on the + button

Manual Partitioning
Manual Partitioning

You will see a fairly simple screen where you will have to define the mounting point and size. In my case, I will make the mount point / and size 17 GiB. Click on Add Mount point.

Creating the main partition to install CentOS 8
Creating the main partition to install CentOS 8

Now on the same screen, you will see more options to modify the partition.

Partition options
Partition options

Among them the choice of the file system. In CentOS 8 is xfs, you can leave it or change it by one more known like ext4.

Creating the partition with ext4 filesystem
Creating the partition with ext4 filesystem

Now create another partition for Swap by clicking the + button and choose as Mount Point swap and set the remaining size. When you are ready, click Add mount Point.

Create the Swap partition
Create the Swap partition

The partitioning scheme will look like this

Disk Scheme
Disk Scheme

If you are satisfied, click Done which will show all the changes the installer will make to the disk.

All disk changes that the installer will make
All disk changes that the installer will make

10. Final Installation Summary

Then you’ll see the Installation Summary screen ready to begin the installation.

Installation summary after disk changes
Installation summary after disk changes

Before you begin, you should review the Software Selection section.

11. Software Selection

Now comes the Software selection. Choose Workstation to have a system with a functional GNOME graphical interface. Additionally, you can add other packages you want by checking the options on the right side.

Software to install on the CentOS installation
Software to install on the CentOS installation

Then, you will see the installation screen again.

Again Installation Summary screen
Again Installation Summary screen

Now click on Begin Installation and the process will start.

Install CentOS
Install CentOS

12. Create Root Password

The system is already installed, but you have to create the root password.

Creating the root password
Creating the root password

Create it and click on Done.

13. Create User

Then, create a new user. Fill in the fields and set a password and click on Done.

Create the new user to install CentOS
Create the new user to install CentOS

The process will now continue smoothly to the end.

Installing CentOS 8
Installing CentOS 8

When it’s done, you’ll see a screen like this informing you that you can reboot the system to enjoy it.

Installation Completed
Installation Completed

14. License Information

When you restart the computer, you will be shown on this screen where you will be informed that you have not accepted the license terms. Click on License Information.

License information
License information

Now you will see the CentOS license terms. Accept them to continue.

CentOS License Terms
CentOS License Terms

15. Login

Then, it will load the login screen.

CentOS login screen
CentOS login screen

Once you enter your credentials created in the installation, you will see the CentOS desktop.

CentOS Desktop
CentOS Desktop

Now you have seen the process and you can try it on your computer or virtual machine.

Conclusion

CentOS is a very important Linux distribution in the field of servers. Therefore, it is possible to believe that it is complicated to install, but the truth is that it is quite easy. Despite this, it is convenient to first see the process before applying it and that is what we have presented in this post.

Leave us a comment, have you used CentOS? What do you think? Please share this post.

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