CentOS Installation Guide

This guide will walk you through the process of installing CentOS, a popular enterprise-class Linux distribution. We'll cover the essential steps from preparation to a basic system setup.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

A compatible computer system.
A CentOS installation media (ISO image, USB drive, or DVD).
A stable internet connection (recommended for updates and additional packages).
Basic knowledge of partitioning and command-line interface.

Step 1: Download CentOS ISO

Download the latest CentOS Stream ISO image from the official CentOS website or a trusted mirror. You can typically find different versions (e.g., minimal, DVD) to suit your needs.

Download CentOS ISO

Step 2: Create Bootable Media

Burn the ISO image to a DVD or, more commonly, create a bootable USB drive. Tools like Rufus (Windows), Etcher (Windows/macOS/Linux), or dd (Linux/macOS) can be used for this.

Using `dd` on Linux/macOS:

sudo dd if=/path/to/centos.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

Replace /path/to/centos.iso with the actual path to your ISO file and /dev/sdX with your USB drive device (e.g., /dev/sdb). Be extremely careful to select the correct device, as an incorrect choice can erase data.

Step 3: Boot from Installation Media

Insert the bootable media into your computer and restart it. You may need to enter your system's BIOS/UEFI settings to change the boot order and prioritize booting from the USB drive or DVD.

Once the system boots from the media, you will be presented with the CentOS boot menu. Select "Install CentOS Stream" (or similar) and press Enter.

Step 4: Initializing Installation

The installer will start. You'll be prompted to select your language and keyboard layout.

Software Selection:

Choose your desired software group. For a minimal server, select "Minimal Install". For a desktop environment, choose "Server with GUI" or "Workstation" and then select additional software if needed.

Installation Destination:

This is where you'll configure disk partitioning. You can choose "Automatic" for the installer to manage partitions or "Custom" for manual control. For most users, "Automatic" is sufficient.

If you choose "Custom", ensure you create at least a root partition (/) and a swap partition. A separate /home partition is also recommended.

Step 5: Network & Hostname

Configure your network settings. You can enable/disable network interfaces and set a static IP address if required. Set your system's hostname.

Step 6: User Creation & Root Password

Set a strong password for the root user. It's also highly recommended to create a regular user account. You can grant this user administrator privileges by adding them to the wheel group.

Step 7: Begin Installation

Once all configurations are set, click "Begin Installation". The installer will now partition your disks and install the selected packages. This process can take some time.

Step 8: Reboot and Post-Installation

After the installation is complete, you will be prompted to reboot the system. Remove the installation media before the system restarts.

Post-Installation Tasks:

Update the system: After logging in, open a terminal and run:
```
sudo dnf update -y
```
Install essential tools: Consider installing packages like wget, curl, and a text editor if they aren't already present.
Configure firewall: Ensure your firewall is configured appropriately.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed CentOS. Explore the system and start customizing it to your needs.