Beginner’s guide to RPM installation on Linux

May 4, 2024

This guide will take you through the basics of RPM and show you how to install it on different Linux server distributions: Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). In the world of Linux, mastering the art of installing, upgrading, and removing software packages is crucial. These tasks are generally handled by what’s known as a package manager, and one of the most common of these is the RPM Package Manager.

Table of Contents

Basics of RPM Packages

RPM Package Manager, or RPM, is a robust, open-source package management system used by Red Hat and its Linux distributions like Fedora and CentOS. The term “RPM” also refers to the package files that the system manages, which have the .rpm file extension.

RPM packages contain precompiled software binaries, libraries needed by the software, metadata about the package like its version and a description, and instructions for installing and uninstalling the software. Essentially, an RPM package includes everything needed to install a piece of software on a system running a compatible version of Linux.

Aside from software installation, the RPM package management system allows for several types of operations:

Installing packages: The most basic operation, installing a package adds a new piece of software to your system. The command is typically rpm -i package-name.rpm.
Upgrading packages: This operation removes older versions of a package and replaces them with a newer version, ensuring you have access to the latest features and security updates. The command is rpm -U package-name.rpm.
Uninstalling packages: If you no longer need a piece of software, you can remove it from your system. The command to uninstall a package is rpm -e package-name.
Verifying packages: The RPM system can compare the current state of your installed packages to the information in its database. This helps identify any problems or changes. Use rpm -V package-name to verify a package.
Querying the package database: You can use RPM commands to list all installed packages (rpm -qa), to find out which package a file belongs to (rpm -qf /path/to/file), or to get information about an installed package (rpm -qi package-name).

The RPM system provides a comprehensive solution for managing software on a Linux system, making it easier to keep your system up to date and secure. Its utility extends far beyond simply installing software, offering a wide range of features to help you manage your system effectively.

Preparing for RPM Installation

Before installing an RPM package, it’s important to:

Check for existing RPM packages: Use the command rpm -qa | grep -i package-name
Ensure system requirements and dependencies are met: This can usually be found in the software’s documentation.

Step-by-step RPM Installation Guide

Installing RPM on Ubuntu Server

Although Ubuntu traditionally uses the DEB package format and APT as its package manager, you can install RPM packages as well.

Install the alien package converter with sudo apt-get install alien.
Convert the .rpm file with sudo alien package-name.rpm.
Install the generated .deb file with sudo dpkg -i package-name.deb.

Installing RPM on CentOS Server

CentOS natively uses RPM packages.

Download the RPM package with wget package-url.
Install the RPM package with sudo yum localinstall package-name.rpm.

Installing RPM on Fedora Server

Fedora, like CentOS, is an RPM-based distro.

Download the RPM package with wget package-url.
Install the RPM package with sudo dnf install package-name.rpm.

Installing RPM on RHEL Server

RHEL, from the same family as CentOS and Fedora, also uses RPM natively.

Download the RPM package with wget package-url.
Install the RPM package with sudo yum localinstall package-name.rpm.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Encountering problems during the installation process is common, especially for beginners. Here’s how to handle some of the most common issues:

Missing dependencies: Try installing the missing packages with your distro’s package manager (yum or dnf for CentOS, Fedora, and RHEL, or apt for Ubuntu).
Package conflicts: If an existing package conflicts with the one you’re trying to install, you might need to remove the old package first.
Installation errors: If all else fails, Googling the exact error message can often lead you to a solution.

Additional Resources

To continue learning about Linux server management and the RPM Package Manager, check out the following resources:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between RPM and yum install?

RPM and Yum might seem similar at first since they both manage packages, but there’s a fundamental difference. RPM, which stands for RPM Package Manager, works at a lower level and focuses on individual software packages. You can use it to install, remove, upgrade, or even verify these packages. However, it doesn’t deal with dependencies. That’s where Yum, short for Yellowdog Updater, Modified, comes in. Yum is a higher-level tool that automatically manages dependencies.

How do I check if RPM file is corrupt?

You can verify the integrity of an RPM file using the rpm -K or rpm --checksig command followed by the package name. This command checks the digital signature of the package to confirm whether it’s corrupt or not. For example: rpm -K package-name.rpm. If the package is not corrupt, the output will include “md5 gpg OK”.

How do I know if RPM is installed on Linux?

To check if a specific RPM package is installed on your system, use the rpm -q command followed by the package name. For example: rpm -q package-name. If the package is installed, the command will return the package name along with its version. If it’s not installed, the system will indicate that the package is not installed.