Install AlmaLinux9.5 in 12 Easy Steps

Install AlmaLinux 9.5

Learn how to install AlmaLinux 9.5 in 12 easy steps with this comprehensive guide. From downloading the ISO to configuring your system, follow our detailed instructions to get your AlmaLinux server or workstation up and running quickly and efficiently.

Table of Contents

Introduction

AlmaLinux 9.5 is an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is highly compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It’s a powerful choice for servers, workstations, and cloud environments. The open-source nature of AlmaLinux makes it a great alternative to other popular distributions. This blog post will walk you through the step-by-step process to install AlmaLinux 9.5 on your machine, ensuring that you can get up and running in no time.

Why Choose AlmaLinux?

Before diving into the installation process, let’s briefly discuss why you should consider AlmaLinux for your next server or workstation setup:

ReasonDescription
RHEL CompatibilityAlmaLinux is 1:1 binary compatible with RHEL, making it ideal for users migrating from CentOS, which shifted to CentOS Stream.
Open-SourceAlmaLinux is completely free and open-source, with no licensing costs or hidden fees.
Enterprise-Grade StabilityBuilt with long-term stability and security in mind, AlmaLinux is perfect for mission-critical applications, just like RHEL.
Active CommunityAlmaLinux has a vibrant community that can provide support and help solve any issues you may encounter.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you meet the following requirements:

PrerequisiteDescription
Dedicated Machine or VMA dedicated physical machine or a virtual machine (VM) to install AlmaLinux 9.5.
RAMMinimum of 2GB RAM, though 4GB is recommended for optimal performance.
Storage SpaceMinimum of 10GB of storage, though 20GB is preferable for a comfortable setup.
Internet AccessRequired for downloading packages during the installation process.
Bootable USB or Virtual DiskA bootable USB drive or a virtual disk image is needed if installing on a VM.
Basic Linux KnowledgeBasic understanding of Linux and command-line operations is recommended.

Install AlmaLinux 9.5 in 12 Easy Steps: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Download AlmaLinux 9.5 ISO

Start by downloading the AlmaLinux 9.5 ISO (i.e. Head to the Official AlmaLinux website to grab the latest release):

  • Visit: https://almalinux.org/download/
  • Select the appropriate version (typically the x86_64 architecture unless you are using a different hardware architecture).
Install AlmaLinux 9.5

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive

To install AlmaLinux 9.5, you’ll need to create a bootable USB drive. Here’s how you can do it:

For demonstration purposes, we initially downloaded the AlmaLinux 9.4 ISO and performed an upgrade to version 9.5 after installation.

On Windows:

  • Download: Rufus, a free tool for creating bootable USB drives.
  • Insert your USB drive into your computer.
  • Launch Rufus and select the downloaded AlmaLinux ISO as the source.
  • Click Start, and Rufus will create a bootable USB drive.

On Linux or macOS:

Use the dd command to create a bootable USB. Run the following commands:

				
					sudo dd if=AlmaLinux-9.5-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync

Replace /dev/sdX with the correct device path (e.g., /dev/sdb ).

Step 3: Boot From USB

Insert the bootable USB drive into your machine. Reboot the system and press the required key (usually function keys: F2, F12, ESC, or Del) to enter the BIOS/UEFI menu.

  • In the boot options, select your USB drive as the boot device.
  • Press Enter to boot from the USB.

Step 4: Begin AlmaLinux 9.5 Installation

Once AlmaLinux boots up, you’ll be presented with a few options. Choose Install AlmaLinux <release_version> and press Enter.

Install AlmaLinux 9.5

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 5: Select Language and Keyboard Layout

The installer will prompt you to select the language and keyboard layout.

  • Choose your Language (e.g., English).
  • Select your Keyboard layout.
  • Click Continue to proceed
Install AlmaLinux 9.5

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 6: Disk Partitioning

Now, you’ll need to configure the disk partitions for AlmaLinux. You can either choose automatic partitioning or manually configure your disk layout.

Automatic Partitioning:

Choose Automatic and let the installer handle disk partitioning. This is recommended for most users, especially beginners.

Installation Destination Page: Using the Automatic Installation Option

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Custom Partitioning:

For advanced users, choose Custom partitioning to manually configure partitions for / , /home , /var , /boot , and swap.

Installation Destination Page: Using the Custom Installation Option for Manual Partitioning

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 7: Network Configuration

In this step, you’ll configure your network settings:

  • Ethernet: If you’re using a wired connection, it should automatically be detected.
  • Wi-Fi: If you’re using a wireless connection, click on the network icon, select your network, and enter the password.
  • Click Done to save the settings.

Step 8: Set Hostname

You’ll be asked to set a hostname for your system. This is essentially the name your system will be identified by on a network.

  • Enter a hostname (e.g., my-server ).
  • Click Done to continue.
Network and Hostname Page: AlmaLinux9 Installation

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 9: Set Time Zone

Choose your time zone. The installer will attempt to auto-detect your location, but you can manually select it on the map.

  • Click on the Time Zone option.
  • Choose your city or region.
  • Click Done.
Time Zone Settings: AlmaLinux9 Installation

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 10: Set Root Password and Create User

Now it’s time to set the root password and create a user. 

  • Set Root Password: Enter a secure password for the root user.
  • Create User: Create a regular user with a strong password. This user will have sudo privileges.
Root Password Setting: AlmaLinux9 Installation

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

  • Enter Full Name, Username, and Password.
  • Select the checkbox Make this user an administrator to grant sudo access.
User account setting: AlmaLinux Installation

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Step 11: Begin Installation

After completing all the configuration steps, you can begin the installation process:

  • Click on Begin Installation.
  • AlmaLinux will now start the installation process. The system will format the disk, create partitions, and install the required packages.
Install AlmaLinux9.5: Begin Installation Process

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

This step may take some time depending on your hardware.

Step 12: Complete the Installation and Reboot

Once the installation is complete, you’ll see a message stating Installation Complete. At this point:

  • Remove the USB drive.
  • Click Reboot to restart your system.
Post Installation Reboot: AlmaLinux9 Installation

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

  • AlmaLinux will boot up, and you’ll be presented with the login screen.
Login Screen: AlmaLinux 9 Post-Installation

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

Install AlmaLinux 9.5 in 12 Easy Steps: Post-Installation Setup

After the installation, there are a few post-setup steps to ensure your system is optimized and secure.

Step 1: Update the System

Once you’re logged in, it’s important to update AlmaLinux to the latest packages and security patches. Then, reboot your machine:

				
					sudo dnf update -y && sudo systemctl reboot
Post-Installation Updates: AlmaLinux 9 Installation

Photo by admingeek from Infotechys

In this instance, we updated our version of AlmaLinux from 9.4 to 9.5.

Step 2: Install Additional Software

AlmaLinux comes with many software packages pre-installed, but you may want to install additional tools. For example:

  • Web server: Install Apache HTTP server:
				
					sudo dnf install httpd -y
  • Firewall: Enable the firewall and open necessary ports (e.g., HTTP and HTTPS):
				
					sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=http --permanent; sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=https --permanent; sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Step 3: Enable and Start Services

Enable and start services that are crucial for your setup. For instance, if you installed Apache HTTP server, enable and start the service:

				
					sudo systemctl enable --now httpd

Useful Commands for AlmaLinux

Here are some basic commands you may find useful after installation:

CommandDescription
sudo dnf install <package>Install a package
sudo dnf updateUpdate all installed packages
sudo systemctl status <service>Check the status of a service (e.g., httpd)
sudo systemctl start <service>Start a service (e.g., httpd)
sudo rebootReboot the system

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed AlmaLinux 9.5. With this powerful, RHEL-compatible distribution, you can confidently use it for personal, development, or production environments. Following the steps in this guide, you should now have a fully functional AlmaLinux system. Be sure to explore further by installing additional software, securing your system, and keeping it updated regularly. If you run into any issues, the AlmaLinux community is always there to help, and there’s a wealth of documentation and resources available online.
 
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