How to Upgrade CentOS Linux 8 to CentOS Stream

Upgrade CentOS Linux 8 Server to CentOS Stream

In this tutorial, you will learn how to upgrade your existing CentOS Linux 8 servers to CentOS Stream.

 

What is CentOS Stream?:

CentOS Linux 8, as a rebuild of RHEL 8, will end at the end of 2021. It is recently announced by Red Hat. CentOS Stream continues after that date, serving as the upstream (development) branch of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Additionally, support for CentOS Linux 8 has been cut short, from May 31, 2029 to December 31, 2021.

When Linux support ends, your best option will be to upgrade CentOS 8 to Stream, which is a small delta and has regular updates like traditional CentOS Linux releases.

Although the Linux Community is not quiet happy with the Red Hat decision. They have initiated a new project named Rocky Linux, that aims to function as a downstream build just as CentOS had done previously, building releases after they have been added to the upstream vendor, not before. There is not currently an ETA for Rocky Linux release. Let's see if it meets the Linux user expectations.

Right now, the best option for CentOS 8 users is to upgrade to CentOS Stream.

Recommended Book: Practical Guide to Linux Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming (PAID LINK) by Mark Sobell & Matthew Helmke

Recommended Training:1Z0-409 Oracle Linux Fundamentals Certified Practice Exam

Upgrade CentOS Linux 8 Server to CentOS Stream

 

Upgarding CentOS Linux 8 to Stream:

Connect with your Linux server as root user by using a ssh client.

Check the version of your current Linux operating system.

# cat /etc/centos-release
CentOS Linux release 8.3.2011

We are currently using the CentOS 8.3, the output may vary on your Linux server.

Build cache for installed yum repositories.

# dnf makecache

Install centos-release-stream package by using dnf command.

# dnf install -y centos-release-stream

Now, replace the yum repositories of CentOS Linux with the CentOS Stream by executing following command.

# dnf swap -y centos-{linux,stream}-repos

01-swap-centos-linux-to-stream-packages

02-swap-centos-linux-to-stream-packages-completed

Execute the following dnf command to upgrade and synchronize all software packages with CentOS Stream distro in your Linux server.

# dnf -y distro-sync

03-dnf-distro-sync-completed

Your Linux server has been upgraded to CentOS Stream.

Check the version of your Linux server now.

# cat /etc/centos-release
CentOS Stream release 8

You have successfully upgraded your server from CentOS Linux 8 to Stream along with installed software packages.

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