Migrate from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8

As a system administrator or a developer, staying ahead of the curve with your server infrastructure is crucial. With the end-of-life (EOL) for CentOS 8, it’s essential to migrate to a stable and secure operating system. AlmaLinux 8 has emerged as a popular choice for those seeking continuity and reliability. In this article, we’ll explore why updating from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8 is necessary, the benefits of AlmaLinux, and provide a step-by-step guide to upgrade your systems seamlessly.

Why Update from CentOS 8?

CentOS 8 End-of-Life

CentOS 8 reached its end-of-life on December 31, 2021. This means that CentOS 8 no longer receives updates, including critical security patches and bug fixes. Running an EOL operating system exposes your servers to potential security vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and lack of support from the community and developers. Consequently, continuing with CentOS 8 is not a viable option for maintaining a secure and efficient IT environment.

Why Choose AlmaLinux 8?

AlmaLinux, a community-driven project initiated by the CloudLinux team, has quickly gained traction as a reliable replacement for CentOS. Here are some key benefits of AlmaLinux 8:

1. Community-Driven and Open Source

AlmaLinux is a 1:1 binary compatible fork of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It is governed by the AlmaLinux Foundation, a non-profit organization that ensures the project remains free and open source. This guarantees transparency, community involvement, and stability.

2. Long-Term Support

AlmaLinux 8 promises long-term support, mirroring RHEL’s lifecycle. This commitment includes regular updates and security patches until at least 2029, giving users a dependable platform for the foreseeable future.

3. Seamless Transition

AlmaLinux provides a straightforward migration process from CentOS 8. The switch is designed to be smooth, with minimal disruption to your existing setup, allowing you to retain configurations and customizations.

4. Enterprise-Grade Stability

By maintaining binary compatibility with RHEL, AlmaLinux ensures enterprise-grade stability and performance. This makes it a robust choice for production environments where reliability is paramount.

Upgrading from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8

Here’s a step-by-step guide to upgrade from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8:

Step 1: Backup Your Data

Before initiating the migration, it’s crucial to back up your data. This includes databases, configuration files, and any other critical data. Use tools like rsync, tar, or specialized backup software to ensure you can restore your system if anything goes wrong.

Step 2: Update Your System

Ensure your CentOS 8 system is up-to-date with the latest updates and patches:

sudo dnf update -y

In case if you are facing any issue due to outdated or expired DNF cache, please check our guide to “Fix failed to synchronize cache for repo ‘AppStream’ or ‘BaseOS’, CentOS 8“.

Step 3: Install the AlmaLinux Migration Tool

AlmaLinux provides an official migration script called ELevate. Install the script using the following command:

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/AlmaLinux/almalinux-deploy/master/almalinux-deploy.sh

Step 4: Run the Migration Script

Execute the migration script to start the transition process:

sudo bash almalinux-deploy.sh

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the migration. The script will replace CentOS packages with AlmaLinux packages and handle any necessary changes.

Step 5: Reboot Your System

After the migration script completes, reboot your system to finalize the transition:

sudo reboot

Step 6: Verify the Upgrade

Once your system reboots, verify the upgrade by checking the operating system release information:

cat /etc/os-release

You should see AlmaLinux listed as the operating system, confirming a successful migration.

Conclusion

Upgrading from CentOS 8 to AlmaLinux 8 is a necessary step to maintain a secure and supported server environment. AlmaLinux offers a robust, community-driven, and enterprise-grade solution with long-term support. The migration process is designed to be seamless, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations. By making the switch, you can continue to leverage a stable and secure Linux distribution, ensuring your infrastructure remains reliable and up-to-date.

Stay proactive and upgrade to AlmaLinux 8 today to secure the future of your server infrastructure.