Step-By-Step Procedure To Install CentOS Linux On VMWare Workstation

22Jun 2023 by Ernest Haberli Jr. No Comments

Let’s start with the acronym. CentOS stands for Community ENTerprise Linux Operating System, a well-known open-source Linux distribution managed by the RedHat Community. CentOS was first released back in May 2004 as CentOS v2. Later in January 2014, it was officially joined RedHat while staying independent from RHEL. However, now CentOS is recognized as an RHEL without official product support. You can use CentOS as an alternative to RHEL as both CentOS and RHEL share the same source code. Those who want to try RHEL can try CentOS. Before giving it a try, you should install it on your local machine. Instead of directly installing CentOS on your machine, we recommend installing CentOS Linux on VMWare Workstation.

CentOS Stream vs. CentOS Linux

In February 2021, RedHat made a big announcement on CentOS. Which led to some confusion within the Linux community for some time. RedHat announced that it would discontinue CentOS Linux as downstream to RHEL. Instead of that, it would continue the CentOS stream which is the upstream version of RHEL. This made some people presume that CentOS will no longer be available.

Both CentOS Linux and CentOS Streem are open-source Linux distros and part of the overall enterprise Linux ecosystem. CentOS is going to be the open-source development platform for upcoming releases of RHEL. Where CentOS Linux is the same open-source development platform derived from the source code of RHEL.

According to RedHat, the open-source development cycle of RHEL is:

  1. Fedora: The upstream project on which future Red Hat Enterprise Linux major releases are based.
  2. CentOS Stream: A preview of upcoming Red Hat Enterprise Linux minor versions.
  3. Red Hat Enterprise Linux: The official, hardened, and fully supported enterprise operating system product.
  4. CentOS Linux: A community-supported and -produced Linux distro derived from source code released by Red Hat.

Prerequisites To Install CentOS Linux On VMWare Workstation:

To install CentOs Linux on VMWare Workstation you just need a physical machine, VMWare Workstation Pro or Player, and CentOS ISO image.

  1. A host system with minimum:
    • 8 GB of memory
    • A quad core CPU
    • 500 GB of Hard Drive
  2. VMWare Workstation Pro or Player application:0
  3. CentOS Operating System ISO image to install on VMWare Workstation.

How To Install CentOS Linux On VMWare Workstation?

Time needed: 30 minutes.

Anyway, from the user front, if you just want to deploy CentOS, you really need to worry about either CentOS Linux or CentOS Stream. It’s just a matter of release time frame. Considering that we have created this post for those who want to try CentOS by installing it on VMWare Workstation. Let’s get started.

  1. Fier up VMWare WorkstationDownload the VMWare Workstation application for your host operating system and install it on your machine. The installation procedure is pretty simple and straight. Read the documentation for more details. Open the app after installation. Create a new Virtual Machine.


    Launch WORKSTATION 16 PRO
  2. Select Custom Configuration WizardYou can choose either Typical or Custom Wizard. We recommend selecting Custom if you want to install with all the configurations. If you are okay with default configurations then go ahead with Typical configurations.


    Select virtual machine configuration
  3. Select Virtual Machine Hardware CompatibilityrkstationGo with the default option if you don’t have the choice.

    Virtual Mechine Hardware Compatibility
  4. Select the Operating System MediaSelect ‘I will install the operating system later’ for an interactive installation.


    Install Operating System From
  5. Select Guest Operating System
    Guest Operating Sustem
  6. Name the Virtual Machine Name and locationType a name and give the location details.


    What Name Would You Like To Use For This Virtual Machine
  7. Allocate the ProcessorsAssign the processors, Calculate the processor required to run the host machine. Assign the leftover resources to the virtual machine.


    allocate precessors for the VM
  8. Allocate the Memory for Virtual MachineMemory allocation calculation is the same as the processor allocation. Leave sufficient memory for the host system and allocate the remaining memory for the virtual machine.


    Memory For The Virtual Machine
  9. Choose the Network ConfigurationSelect any one of the network configurations as per your requirement.


    Network Conection
  10. Select the I/O Controller Type
    Which SCSI Would You Like To Use For SCSI Virtual Disk?
  11. Select Disk Type

  12. Select Virtual DiskSelect the Virtual Disk if you have or create one.

    Select A Disk
  13. Select Disk CapacitySelect the disk size. Selecting a single disk will increase the performance. However, selecting a split disk will help in the disk transfer scenario.


    Specify Disk Capacity
  14. Specify Virtual Disk File
    Where Would You Like To Store The Disk file?
  15. Create Virtual Machine
    Ready To Create Virtual Machie
  16. Supply centOS ISO Image to Virtual MachineDownload CentOS image. Edit the CD/DVD settings and import the downloaded Ubuntu image.


    Virtual Machine Details
  17. Install CentOS on VMWare Workstation
    Hadrware - Divice Status - Connect At Power On
  18. Power On the Virtual MachinePress the Play button to power on the Virtual Machine.


    CentOS Linux 8
  19. Welcome CentOS Virtual MachineAfter initiating the installation. You will be treated with a welcome screen on which you will see the option to select the language. Select your language and click Continue.


    Welcom To CentOS Linux 8
  20. Configure the required installation settingsSet the Keyboard, Language supports, Time and Date settings, Software package selections for installation, root password, Installation media, and disk partition information to proceed with installation of CentOS.


    Installation Summary
  21. Partition the DiskSelect Erase the Disk for auto partition. Or Select the Advance option to create the custom partition.


    Istallation Destination
  22. Set root account password
    Root Password
  23. Begin Installation after setting up all the required settings
    Istallation Summary Two
  24. Installation of CentOS is in Progress
    Istallation Progress
  25. Reboot Virtual MachineReboot the machine after installation.


    Istallation Progress One
  26. Remove the installation mediaRemove the installation media before reboot.


    Rebooting
  27. Read and accept the License Information and create a user account if needed.Initial Setup
  28. Create a user account
    .    Create User
  29. This will finish the configuration wizardClick Finish Configuration to continue.


    Initial Setup Two
  30. Sign In with user account
    CentOS One
  31. Select LanguageYou will be treated with a screen to select the language. Select your language then click Next.


    Welcome
  32. Select your keyboard then click Next.
    Typeing
  33. Toggle Location Services either to ON or OFF as per your requirement.
    Privacy
  34. You can connect this VM to your online accounts. However, this is an optional step. We have skipped this in the demonstration.Online Accounts
  35. That’s all. Now, we are ready to go!!!
    Ready To Go
  36. Installation of CentOS is done on VMWare Workstation.
    Main Screen

 

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