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In this guide, we explain how to install and update software packages on a RHEL system using YUM. While many RHEL installations still rely on YUM, newer systems may use DNF; in most cases, simply replace “yum” with “dnf” in the commands below. RHEL systems use the Red Hat Subscription Manager (subscription-manager) to manage subscriptions and access updates. When you first set up your RHEL system, you must register it with a valid Red Hat subscription to receive the latest packages and security updates. Otherwise, you might encounter an error message from YUM indicating that the system isn’t registered to Red Hat Subscription Management.
If you are using DNF instead of YUM, almost all commands described here will work similarly by replacing yum with dnf.

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Registering with Red Hat Subscription Management

Before accessing software repositories, register your system using your Red Hat Developer account credentials: 
sudo subscription-manager register --username your-redhat-developer-username --password your-redhat-password
After successful registration, attach your system to an available subscription automatically: 
sudo subscription-manager attach --auto

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Software Repositories

Software repositories contain packages, configuration files, and libraries. These repositories are usually hosted on the internet, though enterprises can host private repositories on a local network.

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Viewing Enabled Repositories

To list the repositories currently enabled on your system, run: 
sudo yum repolist
The command output will appear similar to: 
repo id                           repo name
rhel-8-for-x86_64-appstream-rpms  Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 for x86_64 - AppStream (RPMs)
rhel-8-for-x86_64-baseos-rpms     Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 for x86_64 - BaseOS (RPMs)
For more detailed information, including the repository URL addresses, use the verbose flag: 
sudo yum repolist -v
Expected output excerpt: 
Repo-baseurl     : https://cdn.redhat.com/content/dist/rhel8/8/x86_64/appstream/os
Repo-filename    : /etc/yum.repos.d/redhat.repo
Here, Repo-baseurl indicates the repository URL, and Repo-filename shows the path to the configuration file on your system.

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Enabling Optional Repositories

If the default repositories do not include the package you need, you can enable optional repositories such as the CodeReady Builder RPMs. First, list all available repositories: 
sudo yum repolist --all
The output may include entries like: 
repo id
codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-debug-rpms
codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-eus-debug-rpms
codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-eus-rpms
codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-source-rpms
codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-rpms
repo name
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for RHEL 8 x86_64 (Debug RPMs)
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for RHEL 8 x86_64 - Extended Update Support (Debug RPMs)
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for RHEL 8 x86_64 - Extended Update Support (RPMs)
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for RHEL 8 x86_64 - Extended Update Support (Source RPMs)
Red Hat CodeReady Linux Builder for RHEL 8 x86_64 (RPMs)
status
disabled
disabled
disabled
disabled
disabled
To enable an optional repository, use its repo ID: 
sudo subscription-manager repos --enable codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-rpms
To disable the repository, replace --enable with --disable: 
sudo subscription-manager repos --disable codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-rpms
Alternatively, use yum-utils with the yum-config-manager tool: 
sudo yum-config-manager --enable codeready-builder-for-rhel-8-x86_64-rpms
Verify changes by listing all repositories again: 
sudo yum repolist --all

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Adding Custom Repositories

There are times when you need to add external repositories from a specific URL or a local network. First, ensure that the yum-utils package is installed to access the yum-config-manager: 
sudo yum install yum-utils
Next, add a repository. For example, to add an internet-based repository: 
sudo yum-config-manager --add-repo https://download.docker.com/linux/rhel/docker-ce.repo
For a repository hosted on a local network: 
sudo yum-config-manager --add-repo 192.168.1.220/BaseOS.repo
After adding, verify the repository configuration: 
sudo yum repolist -v
You should see an excerpt like the following in the output: 
Repo-filename    : /etc/yum.repos.d/docker-ce.repo

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Examining a Custom Repository File

Let’s review the Docker repository file that you added. Open the file using an editor such as Vim: 
sudo vi /etc/yum.repos.d/docker-ce.repo
The initial lines of the file might look like this: 
[docker-ce-stable]
name=Docker CE Stable - $basearch
baseurl=https://download.docker.com/linux/rhel/$releasever/$basearch/stable
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://download.docker.com/linux/rhel/gpg
Each element of the repository file serves a purpose:
  1. Repository ID (e.g., [docker-ce-stable])
    A unique identifier required for the repository.
  2. Name (name=Docker CE Stable - $basearch)
    A descriptive label displayed in repository lists.
  3. Base URL (baseurl=https://download.docker.com/linux/rhel/$releasever/$basearch/stable)
    The URL location for the repository.
  4. Enabled Flag (enabled=1)
    Indicates active status. Changing to 0 disables the repository.
  5. GPG Check (gpgcheck=1)
    Enables verification of package integrity using GPG signatures.
  6. GPG Key Location (gpgkey=https://download.docker.com/linux/rhel/gpg)
    Specifies the URL for the GPG key used in verification.
This format provides a blueprint for creating or modifying repository files for troubleshooting and custom configurations. To remove a custom repository, simply delete its configuration file from /etc/yum.repos.d/.

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Managing Packages with YUM

YUM is a powerful tool for installing, updating, reinstalling, and removing packages from both repositories and local RPM files.

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Searching for Packages

If you are unsure of a package name, use the search feature. For instance, to search for packages related to web servers: 
sudo yum search web server
This command searches for any package containing either “web” or “server” in its description: 
cockpit.x86_64 : Web Console for Linux servers
For exact phrase matching, enclose the search term in single quotes: 
sudo yum search 'web server'
This refined search might return: 
nginx.x86_64 : A high performance web server and reverse proxy server
Once you identify the package (e.g., Nginx), obtain more details by running: 
sudo yum info nginx
You should see output similar to: 
Description : Nginx is a web server and a reverse proxy server for HTTP, SMTP, POP3, and IMAP protocols,
              with a strong focus on high concurrency, performance, and low memory usage.

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Installing, Reinstalling, and Removing Packages

To install a package like Nginx: 
sudo yum install nginx
If you need to reinstall a package (for example, if a configuration file was accidentally deleted), use: 
sudo yum reinstall nginx
To remove a package: 
sudo yum remove package_name
Sometimes, removing a package leaves behind dependencies. You can clean up these unnecessary dependencies with: 
sudo yum autoremove

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Installing Software from an RPM File

YUM can also install packages directly from local RPM files. For example, to install the NoMachine package:
  1. Download the package: 
    sudo wget https://download.nomachine.com/download/7.7/Linux/nomachine_7.7.4_1_x86_64.rpm
  2. Install the downloaded RPM file: 
    sudo yum install ./nomachine_7.7.4_1_x86_64.rpm
To uninstall software installed via an RPM file, remove it by package name: 
sudo yum remove nomachine
Then, clean up any remaining dependencies: 
sudo yum autoremove

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Managing Package Groups

YUM supports package groups, which allow you to manage related collections of packages together.

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Listing Available Groups

List all available package groups with: 
sudo yum group list
To view a comprehensive list, including hidden groups, run: 
sudo yum group list --hidden
For example, you might see a group labeled “Server with GUI.”

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Installing and Removing Group Packages

To install the “Server with GUI” package group: 
sudo yum group install 'Server with GUI'
To remove the group: 
sudo yum group remove 'Server with GUI'

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Updating and Upgrading Packages

Keeping your system up to date is crucial. Begin by checking for available package upgrades: 
sudo yum check-upgrade
To update all installed packages to their latest versions, run: 
sudo yum update
After upgrading critical components such as the kernel, it is advisable to reboot your system to ensure all changes take effect properly.
By following the steps in this guide, you can effectively manage software packages and repositories on your RHEL system using YUM. For more detailed information, consider visiting Red Hat’s official documentation. Happy managing!

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