Install CentOS operating system on virtual machine

This post is lesson 14 of 16 in the subject Computer Hardware Practice

1. Lesson objectives

Teach students to understand the meaning of the installation steps of CentOS operating system.

Students have the ability to deploy the installation on virtual and physical machines.

2. Introduction to CentOS

CentOS is a free operating system, built and developed based on the open source Linux operating system. CentOS stands for “Community Enterprise Operating System”.

This OS was released in May 2004 and is based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) distribution.

CentOS was created with the main purpose of building a free server system platform for businesses. In addition, CentOS provides a perfect environment to program.

The version of CentOS 7 has a large user community, so it was selected to guide the installation.

3. Preparing to install

– Download installation file of CentOS 7.

– Create DVD or USB containing CentOS.

– Custom boot device from optical disc or USB.

– Minimum machine configuration requirements: (using for CentOS 7-1810 version)

  • CPU: 1.0 GHz or higher
  • RAM: 512 MB or more (using for LiveGNOME or LiveKDE version).
  • Hard disk drive capacity: at least 10 GB of free space (20 GB).

4. Steps to install CentOS

We must prepare a virtual machine that meets the requirements as above (refer to article Create virtual machines with VMware Workstation). Note: Select the correct operating system to install. Then, insert the CentOS 7 disc into the optical disc.

Insert .iso file of CentOS to VMware
Insert .iso file of CentOS to VMware

How to set up OS installation from optical disc or USB (refer to article Setup Windows 10 installation from optical disc or USB).

Restart the virtual machine, you will see the screen below. Use the up or down arrow keys to select the line Install CentOS 7. Then press the Enter key to start the installation process.

Choose CentOS7 to install
Choose CentOS7 to install

Note: Once the key is pressed successfully, the installation process begins. If during the installation process, the device is restarted to this step, do not press the key, because pressing the key will repeat the process and reinstall from the beginning.

Next, the language selection screen will appear (default is English and English (United Satates)).

Select language for CentOS
Select language for CentOS

Next is to install system settings.

System settings in CentOS
System settings in CentOS

Install language (KEYBOARD, LANGUAGE SUPPORT), default is English.

Install time (DATE & TIME), select Region : Asia ; City : Ho Chi Minh City. And set date and time as below, click Done to finish.

Set region and datetime in CentOS
Set region and datetime in CentOS

Install the version of CentOS 7 (SOFTWARE SELECTION) depends on the intended use of the operating system.

  • Minimal Install: This configuration consumes the least resources, suitable for server.
  • Gnome Desktop: This configuration has a graphical interface, suitable for new users.
Choose GNOME of CentOS
Choose GNOME of CentOS

Configure the network connection (NETWORK & HOST NAME), just turn ON. It can be set up after installation using the nmtui utility.

Configure Network in CentOS
Configure Network in CentOS

Next, choose INSTALLATION DESTIONATION. We choose drive and check I will configure Partitioning and then click Done.

Partition hard drive in CentOS
Partition hard drive in CentOS

Partition drive in CentOS include 3 steps: (1) set the boot partition size -> (2) set the swap partition size -> (3) set the root partition size.

Proceed to partition hard drive, select LVM in Partitioning Scheme

Step 1 – Create /boot partition: choose + button, enter capacity and then select Add Mount Point. Capacity of /boot partition about 500MB is enough.

Set capacity of boot partition
Set capacity of boot partition

Step 2 – Create swap partition with capacity about 1.5 to 2 times the capacity of RAM. For example, your computer has 1GB of RAM, it is recommended to create 1.5GB of swap partition.

Set capacity of swap partition
Set capacity of swap partition

Step 3 – Create root partition, you can take all the remaining hard drive space currently on your machine. Click Add mount point, select ‘ext4’ in the File Sytem, and click “Update Settings”.

Create root partition
Create root partition

Finally click Done -> Accept Changes, to format and create the partition.

Click Accept to create partition
Click Accept to create partition

Then, return to the INSTALLATION SUMARY and click “Begin Installation” to begin the installation process.

The next step is to create a password and an account. Click User Creation to create a new account and set a password for the user account. Click Root password to set a password for the root account (top level account), enter a strong enough password (containing uppercase, lowercase letters, numeric characters, special characters like: [email protected]#1508) .

Create username and password in CentOS
Create username and password in CentOS

Waiting for the installation about 5-10 minutes. When the installation is finished, the server will restart.

Menu to choose CentOS
Menu to choose CentOS

The login screen appears, enter Username then click Next and enter the password.

Enter username in CentOS
Enter username in CentOS

The GNOME graphical interface appears. The CentOS 7 operating system has been installed.

GNOME interface in CentOS
GNOME interface in CentOS

5. Requirement of practice

Students create a virtual machine with the name formatted as Student ID with the following configuration parameters:

  • Operating system: CentOS 7 x64
  • RAM capacity: 1024 MB
  • HDD capacity: 50 GB
  • Processor: 1 CPU – 2 cores
  • BIOS timeout: 10 seconds
  • Choose boot device: CD-ROM

Using .iso file of CentOS 7 x64 to partition and install CentOS:

  • /boot partition: 500MB
  • Swap partition: 1.5 GB
  • / partition: 20 GB
  • /home partition: 20 GB
  • /root partition: 8 GB

Username of account is Student ID, password is [email protected]

5/5 - (1 vote)
Previous and next lesson in subject<< Back up and restore operating system with Norton GhostUsing Command Prompt on Windows 10 >>
Posted by Vinh Le

Composer at ITLearningCorner.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *