Install RedHat Enterprise Linux 5, Centos 5
Linux can be installed in several ways: from CD-ROM, hard disk, over a network, or through Red Hat Network. Here we will focus on installing from CD-ROM. This method is easier and more convenient than the others because all you need is a CD-ROM drive and RedHat Enterprise installation discs. The procedure is straightforward, using a Graphic User Interface, or GUI. Even beginners can install it easily by following the steps. Installing RedHat Enterprise Linux is not particularly complicated. You need free space for the installation: this means a partition, rather than free space within your existing operating system. Leave it unformatted to avoid confusion during installation. If you want to install only RedHat, it is even easier; just have the computer ready. Once the space is prepared, turn on the computer and boot from the RedHat disc. The installation screen will appear as shown below.
Figure 1. Installation mode selection
This screen is very important when beginning a RedHat installation, because it lets you choose from the installation modes shown. Press Enter here to continue. The first question asks whether you want to check the installation disc (recommended so that you can find out whether it is damaged). Select Skip if you do not want to check it. The X Windows installation then begins, starting with Figure 2. I will explain the remaining steps in order to avoid confusion. 1. When the RedHat X Windows installation screen appears, select next. The following screens ask for the installation language and keyboard layout; choose English for both.
Figure 2. X Windows installation screen
- Enter the Installation Number to enable features that Red Hat has disabled, such as Virtualization. If you do not have one, select Skip, then Skip again.
Figure 3. Entering the Installation Number
- Choose where to install RedHat. Four options are available: • Remove all partitions on the hard disk. Recommended for a new computer with no data on it. • Remove only Linux operating system partitions. • Use free, unformatted space. Recommended if you already have Windows and want to install RedHat. • Manage partitions manually (for experienced users). Also select Review and modify partitioning layout to prevent formatting mistakes. Changes here do not yet affect the partitions. The partitions you create or edit will be processed when the actual installation begins.
Figure 4. Managing hard disk partitions
4. The RedHat installer now displays the partition layout for confirmation or review and adjustment. The basic partitions required during installation are:
• Root Partition (/) stores all operating system data.
• SWAP Partition (swap) provides virtual memory. Its size should be twice the main memory, or no more than 2GB.
• Boot Partition (/boot) stores the files needed to boot the computer. Select next. Details of partitioning, LVM, and RAID will be covered later; use the Default mode here.
Figure 5. Partition layout
-
Configure the boot loader. You can select next immediately. The following step configures the network; enter the settings as appropriate.
-
Choose the time zone, GMT +7. Then enter the password for root (the superuser, equivalent to the Windows administrator). It must contain at least six characters.
-
Choosing the programs to install is just as important as the other steps. Select Customize now to choose what to install, or Customize Later to use the defaults. You can also select the software to include in the installation in the upper part of the window.
Figure 6. Selecting programs to install
- The installer checks and confirms the installation. Select next to begin installation and formatting.
Figure 7. Installing
- When installation finishes, select reboot to restart the computer and enter RedHat. 10. After restarting and booting RedHat, the remaining steps configure the system’s basic settings. The screen is shown in the figure. Select Forward to begin configuration.
>Figure 8. First configuration screen
-
On the RedHat license screen, select Yes, then Forward.
-
Configure the basic firewall settings. Select enable to turn on the firewall. Choose ports to open under Trusted Services, and add other ports under Other ports.
Figure 9. Firewall
-
Disable SELinux to make basic testing and use easier. SELinux is an advanced RedHat security system whose operation is quite involved and complex, so disabling it is recommended here.
-
I recommend leaving Kdump disabled for this installation, which is intended for testing and learning. For production use, you can enable it, but memory will be reserved specifically for Kdump (the available memory is reduced by the amount set in Kdump Memory).
Figure 10. Kdump
- Register with Red Hat. If you have a registration code, register from this page by choosing Yes, I’d like to register now. Otherwise, choose No, I prefer to register at later time.
Figure 11. Register Red Hat
- The second-to-last step is user creation. You can skip creating a user, because the following chapters will use root throughout to make the exercises easier. Select Forward. When the system asks about continuing without creating a user, select continue.
Figure 12. Creating a user
- In the final step, select Finish. The RedHat login screen appears.
Figure 13. Login screen
How was the installation? It was not difficult, was it? From what I have seen, RedHat has an easy, straightforward Linux installer, unlike some Linux distributions that are much harder to install. I have installed those myself and found it quite challenging: you need a fair amount of Linux knowledge even to complete the installation, and it is still not easy. This chapter is your starting point for using RedHat fully. I recommend practicing regularly to become more familiar with RedHat.
