EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) is a repository of high-quality add-on packages for Linux distributions like CentOS Stream maintained by the Fedora Project. EPEL provides a wide array of additional software packages not included in the standard CentOS repositories, enhancing your system’s functionality and usability. EPEL Next is a companion repository that provides newer versions of packages to ensure compatibility with the latest updates and features in CentOS Stream.
To enable EPEL and EPEL Next on CentOS Stream 9, you can use the command-line terminal. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up these repositories, ensuring you have access to a broader range of software packages.
Update CentOS Stream Before EPEL Installation
It is important to update your system before proceeding with the tutorial to ensure that all existing packages are up to date and to prevent any conflicts during installation.
sudo dnf upgrade --refreshInstall EPEL and EPEL Next
Initially, activate the CRB repository. For those unfamiliar, CRB is the new repository for CentOS Stream tools, replacing the older PowerTools repository.
sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled crbNow, use the following terminal command (dnf) to install EPEL.
sudo dnf install \
https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-9.noarch.rpm \
https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-next-release-latest-9.noarch.rpm
Users who don’t need or want it can remove EPEL Next by simply deleting the last line in the above command.
Confirm EPEL Installation
Now that the EPEL repository has been installed, verifying the installation’s a good idea. The most straightforward and quickest method is to use the dnf repolist command.
dnf repolist | grep epel
As mentioned earlier, the repository has been displayed and successfully installed.
EPEL Repository Command Examples
Next, the tutorial will run through some commands you may find handy in your terminal searching the repository.
First, to list all the packages that are available in the EPEL repository, use the command:
dnf list available --enablerepo=epelSearch for a specific package in the EPEL repository, use the command:
dnf search package-name --enablerepo=epelTo install a package from the EPEL repository, use the command:
dnf install package-name --enablerepo=epelLastly, to check for updates on packages installed from the EPEL repository, use the command:
dnf check-update --enablerepo=epelAdditional EPEL Commands on CentOS Stream
Remove EPEL From CentOS Stream
Ideally, the EPEL repository should not have to be removed after it is installed, but if necessary, use the following command to remove it.
Remove EPEL repository:
sudo dnf remove epel-releaseRemove EPEL Next repository:
sudo dnf remove epel-next-releaseConclusion
By enabling EPEL and EPEL Next on your CentOS Stream system, you gain access to various additional software packages that enhance your system’s capabilities. Regularly updating these repositories ensures you benefit from the latest features and improvements. Enjoy the increased functionality and versatility that EPEL and EPEL Next bring to your CentOS Stream environment.