How to migrate CentOS 8 to Redhat

Learn how to seamlessly migrate CentOS 8 to RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth and successful transition. #centlinux #linux #centos

What is CentOS? A Comprehensive Overview

CentOS, short for Community ENTerprise Operating System, is a Linux distribution that provides a free, open-source, and community-supported platform compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It is widely used in enterprise environments, web servers, and development setups due to its stability, reliability, and long-term support.

Key Features of CentOS

• RHEL Compatibility:
  CentOS is built from the source code of RHEL, ensuring binary compatibility. This means software that runs on RHEL can also run on CentOS without modification.
• Stability and Reliability:
  CentOS is known for its stability, making it a popular choice for servers and critical infrastructure. It undergoes rigorous testing before updates are released.
• Long-Term Support:
  Each CentOS version receives updates and security patches for up to 10 years, providing a reliable platform for long-term deployments.
• Open Source and Free:
  CentOS is completely free to use, with no licensing fees, making it an attractive alternative to RHEL for cost-conscious organizations.
• Strong Community Support:
  CentOS is backed by a large and active community of developers and users who contribute to its development and provide support.

CentOS Versions

• CentOS Linux:
  The traditional version, which is a downstream rebuild of RHEL. It follows the same release cycle as RHEL and provides a stable, production-ready environment.
• CentOS Stream:
  Introduced in 2019, CentOS Stream is a rolling-release distribution that sits between Fedora (upstream) and RHEL (downstream). It provides a preview of upcoming RHEL features and is aimed at developers and organizations that want to stay ahead of the curve.

Use Cases of CentOS

• Web Servers:
  CentOS is a popular choice for hosting web applications due to its stability and compatibility with Apache, Nginx, and other web servers.
• Enterprise Infrastructure:
  Many organizations use CentOS for critical infrastructure, such as databases, file servers, and virtualization platforms.
• Development and Testing:
  Developers use CentOS to create and test applications in an environment that mirrors RHEL.
• Cloud and Virtualization:
  CentOS is widely used in cloud environments and as a guest operating system in virtualization platforms like VMware and KVM.

CentOS vs RHEL

The Future of CentOS

In December 2020, Red Hat announced a shift in focus from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream. While CentOS Linux 7 will continue to receive updates until its end of life in 2024, CentOS Linux 8 support was shortened, leading many users to explore alternatives like Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux, which aim to fill the gap left by CentOS Linux.

Conclusion

CentOS has been a cornerstone of the Linux ecosystem, offering a stable, reliable, and free alternative to RHEL. While the transition to CentOS Stream has sparked debates, CentOS remains a powerful choice for enterprises, developers, and system administrators. Whether you’re running a web server, managing enterprise infrastructure, or developing applications, CentOS provides a robust platform to meet your needs.

For those seeking a traditional CentOS experience, alternatives like Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux offer compelling options, ensuring the legacy of CentOS continues in the open-source community.

Recommended Training: Linux Administration: The Complete Linux Bootcamp in 2025 from Andrei Dumitrescu, Crystal Mind Academy

Problem Definition

Due to the demise of CentOS Linux 8, the system administrators are now looking for alternatives to migrate your existing CentOS Linux server machines.

We have already published a list of CentOS 8 alternatives and also wrote an article to migrate CentOS 8 to CentOS Stream.

Now, we are showing the steps to migrate a existing CentOS Linux server to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operating system. Because Red Hat is now offering free one year subscription for up to 16 servers. Therefore, you can migrate to RHEL 8 and enable the official yum repositories by registering your Linux server with Red Hat subscription manager.

100Pcs Cartoon Stickers in Gift Bag for Water Bottle Laptop Skateboard Car Bumper Computer Gifts for Aldults Boys Girls Teens

(3)

$9.99 (as of February 21, 2025 15:19 GMT +00:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Check your CentOS Linux Server

To begin the migration process, use an SSH client to establish a secure connection to your CentOS 8 server by logging in as the root user. This will grant you administrative privileges, allowing you to perform the necessary system modifications.

Once logged in, the first step is to check the current Linux kernel version and operating system details. This helps verify the existing system setup and ensures compatibility before proceeding with the migration. Running these checks will provide key information about the system’s architecture, installed packages, and any pending updates that may affect the transition to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

# uname -r
4.18.0-240.1.1.el8_3.x86_64

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

Install Convert2RHEL Utility

For a smooth and efficient migration process, we strongly recommend using the Convert2RHEL utility. This powerful and user-friendly tool is specifically designed to convert existing CentOS Linux or Oracle Linux installations to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8) with minimal downtime and risk.

The Convert2RHEL tool currently supports migrations from CentOS 6, 7, and 8, as well as Oracle Linux 6, 7, and 8, to RHEL 8. Before proceeding, it is essential to verify your Linux distribution version to ensure compatibility with the appropriate Convert2RHEL package.

Depending on your current system version, you can download and install the supported Convert2RHEL package. The official download links and documentation are available on the Convert2RHEL GitHub page, which provides the latest updates and guidelines.

Since this guide focuses on migrating CentOS Linux 8 to RHEL 8, we will install the respective Convert2RHEL package using the dnf package manager. This will prepare the system for a seamless transition while maintaining existing configurations and installed applications.

# dnf install -y https://github.com/oamg/convert2rhel/releases/download/v0.17/convert2rhel-0.17-1.el8.noarch.rpm

Convert2RHEL is developed using the Python programming language, which means that during its installation, Python and its necessary dependencies will also be installed if they are not already present on the system. Python plays a crucial role in the execution of Convert2RHEL, as it powers the automation and scripting capabilities required for a smooth migration process.

By installing Python alongside Convert2RHEL, the system ensures that all necessary runtime components are available, allowing the migration tool to function correctly. This automatic installation helps avoid compatibility issues and ensures that Convert2RHEL can execute scripts, handle system modifications, and perform package conversions efficiently during the transition to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8.

Update your CentOS Linux software packages to the latest stable versions by using dnf command.

# dnf update -y

After update, check the Linux kernel and operating system versions again.

# uname -r                       
4.18.0-240.1.1.el8_3.x86_64

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

Reboot your Linux OS with the updated Kernel.

# reboot

Migrate CentOS 8 to Redhat Linux

After reboot, login as root user and start the migration process by using the Convert2RHEL utility. You will need your Red Hat login credentials to register your Linux server after migration to RHEL 8.

# convert2rhel --username centlinux

First of all convert2rhel is obtaining a confirmation from user to execute the script.

Some software packages will be removed by the script, and it is asking for the confirmation.

Choose your preferred Red Hat Subscription from the list.

Some more software packages will be removed by the convert2rhel script.

The script is patching the yum configuration file.

Finally, convert2rhel script has been completed successfully.

After successful execution of Convert2RHEL utility, you need to restart your Linux server to boot your operating system with the new RHEL 8 Kernel.

# reboot

After reboot, check the Linux kernel and operating system versions.

# uname -r
4.18.0-240.15.1.el8_3.x86_64

# cat /etc/redhat-release
Red Hat Enterprise Linux release 8.3 (Ootpa)

Your CentOS Linux server has been migrated to RHEL 8.

Change the hostname of your Linux server, if required.

# hostnamectl set-hostname rhel-8.centlinux.com

CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005: 300+ Predicted Practice Questions with Detailed Explanations

$9.99 (as of February 21, 2025 15:19 GMT +00:00 – More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Final Thoughts

Migrating from CentOS 8 to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a crucial step for ensuring long-term support, security, and enterprise-grade stability. By following the migration process carefully, you can seamlessly transition your system while retaining your existing configurations and applications.

Red Hat provides official tools and documentation to simplify the migration, making it accessible for businesses and individual users alike. With RHEL, you gain access to enterprise support, regular security updates, and a robust ecosystem, ensuring your server remains reliable and secure for years to come.

Optimize your cloud infrastructure and secure your servers with my AWS and Linux administration services. Let’s ensure your systems run smoothly. Connect with me on Fiverr now!

I offer comprehensive migration services to help you achieve a seamless and efficient transition, tailored to your specific needs and requirements. Enhance your server infrastructure with professional support for a worry-free migration experience.