Configure a YUM Repository in Linux

Yum is the default package supervision utility in Linux that uses a repository to maintain the rpm files. Since Yum depends on the repository, there must be at least one functioning repository before it can be utilized. In this IT Pro Challenge virtual lab, learners will learn how to configure an Apache web server as a yum repository and how to install software from the repository on a remote client. This skill is a part of the Linux administrator work role and is built upon the knowledge to configure Apache web server.

Understand the Scenario

A system administrator is responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and secure operation of computer systems and servers. In this virtual lab, you are a system administrator for several Linux servers. Your job responsibility is to configure centralized package management. To accomplish this, first, you will configure an Apache web server as a Yum repository, and then you will verify that the repository is available to other Linux servers on the network.

Understand your environment

In this hands-on lab environment, learners will use two virtual machines. The first machine (CentOS7-A) will act as a web server and will contain the Yum repository, and the second virtual machine(CentOS7-B) will be used to install a package stored in the Yum repository on the first machine(CentOS7-A).

Create a web server Yum repository

The first step is to create a web server Yum repository. You will first sign in by using the given password and then get root privileges. Root privileges are the rights that the root user has on the machine. You will then install the Apache webserver on the first virtual machine (CentOS7-A) and set the server name value and the directory powers. You will then learn how to link the /Packages directory to the default storage location for Apache web files and enable the httpd service. After completing this step, you will check that the packages are available by using a symbolic link and are also available by using Firefox. Finally, you will learn how to designate the Apache web server as a Yum repository.

Check your work

It is extremely important to check that the Apache web server is properly configured before proceeding further. In this step, you will check and confirm the installation and configuration of the Apache web server. You will then confirm that you have enabled the web server and you have properly configured the Apache web server as a Yum repository.

Configure CentOS7-B to use the CentOS7-A web server as a repository

In this last section of the lab, you will learn how to switch to the Linux CentOS7-B virtual machine in the lab interface, and then get root privileges. After successfully getting root privileges, you will create an apache file that sets the CentOS7-A web server as a Yum repository. In the next step, you will disable the gpgchecking and confirm that the CentOS7-A web server is recognized as a repository. After completing this step you will check two things. First, you will confirm that the CentOS7-A Apache web server is configured as a Yum repository for the CentOS7-B virtual machine. Second, you will confirm that the CentOS7-A Apache repository can be used to install software on the CentOS7-B virtual machine.

Lab Summary Conclusion

After completing the “Configure a YUM Repository in Linux” virtual lab, you will have accomplished the following:

• Created a Yum repository on a Linux web server.
• Installed software from the web server Yum repository on a network client virtual machine.

Completion of this IT Pro Challenge virtual lab means that the learners have demonstrated the ability to use the Linux environment to configure Apache web server as a Yum repository using two virtual machines.