How to convert CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux was designed as a downstream, binary-compatible fork of RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) and was intended to be a drop-in replacement for CentOS. If you want to convert CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux, you can follow these general steps:

1. Backup Your Data:

Before making any major changes to your system, it’s crucial to back up your data. This ensures that you can recover in case anything goes wrong during the conversion process.

2. Update CentOS:

Ensure your CentOS system is up-to-date:

sudo dnf update

3. Install the AlmaLinux Repository:

Install the AlmaLinux repository on your CentOS system:

sudo dnf install -y https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/8/baseos/x86_64/Packages/almalinux-release-8.4-2.el8.x86_64.rpm

4. Remove CentOS Repositories:

Disable the CentOS repositories to avoid conflicts:

sudo dnf config-manager --disable centos*

5. Replace CentOS Packages:

Replace CentOS packages with their AlmaLinux counterparts:

sudo dnf distro-sync

6. Update Package Database:

Refresh the package database:

sudo dnf check

7. Check for System Integrity:

Perform a system integrity check to identify any issues:

sudo rpm --verify --all

8. Reboot:

Reboot your system to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

Important Considerations:

• Always perform these actions on a test or backup system before applying them to a production server.
• AlmaLinux and CentOS are designed to be binary-compatible, but differences may exist. Ensure that your applications and services are compatible with AlmaLinux.
• The steps might vary based on the specific version of CentOS or AlmaLinux. Refer to the official documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Please note that the information provided is based on the state of things as of January 2022, and there might have been changes or updates since then. Always check the official AlmaLinux documentation for the latest information.