YUM How to use yum command on CentOS/RHEL
How do I use the yum command to update and patch my Red hat Enterprise Linux / CentOS Linux version 5.x/6.x/7.x server via RHN or the Internet? Can I use up2date command under a RHEL v5.x?
up2date command was part of RHEL v4.x or older version. You need to use yum command to update and patch the system using RHN or Internet. Use yum command to install critical and non-critical security updates as well as binary packages.
Login as the root user to install and update the system. This page show examples of common sysadmin tasks that you can perform using yum command on a CentOS or RHEL.
How to register my RHEL based system with RHN
To register your RHEL 5.x system with RHN type the following command and just follow on screen instructions (CentOS user skip to the next step):
# rhn_register
To register your RHEL 7.x system with RHN type the folllwong
# subscription-manager register --username tom --password jerry --auto-attach
WARNING! These examples only works with RHEL / CentOS Linux version 5.x or above. For RHEL 4.x and older version use up2date command.How to display a list of updated software and security fix
Type the following command at shell prompt:
# yum list updates
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile * base: ftp.iitm.ac.in * epel: repo.ugm.ac.id * extras: ftp.iitm.ac.in * updates: ftp.iitm.ac.in Updated Packages apr.x86_64 1.3.9-5.el6_9.1 updates device-mapper.x86_64 1.02.117-12.el6_9.1 updates device-mapper-libs.x86_64 1.02.117-12.el6_9.1 updates kernel-devel.x86_64 2.6.32-696.16.1.el6 updates kernel-headers.x86_64 2.6.32-696.16.1.el6 updates libblkid.x86_64 2.17.2-12.28.el6_9.1 updates libuuid.x86_64 2.17.2-12.28.el6_9.1 updates util-linux-ng.x86_64 2.17.2-12.28.el6_9.1 updates |
How to find out whether updates exist for packages that are already installed on my system
# yum check-update
Patch up system by applying all updates
To download and install all updates type the following command:
# yum update
Sample outputs:
You can only apply security-related package updates using the following syntax:
$ sudo yum update --security
To update specified packages
Updates the specified package. The syntax is
$ yum update {package-name-1}
To check for and update httpd package, enter:
$ sudo yum update httpd
You can update one packages to a particular version say nginx using the following syntax:
$ ## first find a list of all dups ##
$ yum --showduplicates list nginx
$ ## now update to particular version ##
$ sudo yum update-to nginx-version
$ sudo yum update-to nginx-1.12.2-1.el7
List all installed packages
To list all installed packages, enter:
$ rpm -qa ## not recommend just use yum ##
$ yum list installed
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile * base: ftp.iitm.ac.in * epel: mirror1.ku.ac.th * extras: ftp.iitm.ac.in * updates: ftp.iitm.ac.in Installed Packages GeoIP.x86_64 1.5.0-11.el7 @base OpenEXR-libs.x86_64 1.7.1-7.el7 @base SDL.x86_64 1.2.15-14.el7 @base ShellCheck.x86_64 0.3.5-1.el7 @epel acl.x86_64 2.2.51-12.el7 @base alsa-lib.x86_64 1.1.3-3.el7 @base apr.x86_64 1.4.8-3.el7_4.1 @updates apr-util.x86_64 1.5.2-6.el7 @base atk.x86_64 2.22.0-3.el7 @base atk-devel.x86_64 2.22.0-3.el7 @base atlas.x86_64 3.10.1-12.el7 @base audit-libs.x86_64 2.7.6-3.el7 @base autoconf.noarch 2.69-11.el7 @base autogen-libopts.x86_64 5.18-5.el7 @base .... .. ... yum-plugin-fastestmirror.noarch 1.1.31-42.el7 @base zip.x86_64 3.0-11.el7 @base zlib.x86_64 1.2.7-17.el7 @base zlib-devel.x86_64 1.2.7-17.el7 @base |
Find out if httpd package installed or not on the system
$ rpm -qa | grep httpd*
$ yum list installed httpd
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile * base: centos.excellmedia.net * epel: repo.ugm.ac.id * extras: centos.excellmedia.net * updates: centos.excellmedia.net Installed Packages httpd.x86_64 2.4.6-67.el7.centos.6 @updates |
Lists all packages that are available to install all packages that are installed on system
$ yum list
$ yum list
$ yum list | more ## [ Use more command to show info one screen at a time ] ##
$ yum list | grep bash ## [ Use grep command to filter out results ] ##
Lists all packages that are available for installation
$ yum list available
$ yum list available | more
$ yum list available | grep nginx
How to search for packages by name
You can search the package descriptions for the specified string using search command. The list command can be used too. To search httpd and all matching perl packages, enter:
$ yum list {package-name}
$ yum list {regex}
$ yum list httpd
$ yum list perl*
$ yum search {package-name}
$ yum search nginx
$ yum search nginx*
Sample output from yum list perl*:
Loading "installonlyn" plugin Loading "security" plugin Setting up repositories Reading repository metadata in from local files Installed Packages perl.i386 4:5.8.8-10.el5_0.2 installed perl-Archive-Tar.noarch 1.30-1.fc6 installed perl-BSD-Resource.i386 1.28-1.fc6.1 installed perl-Compress-Zlib.i386 1.42-1.fc6 installed perl-DBD-MySQL.i386 3.0007-1.fc6 installed perl-DBI.i386 1.52-1.fc6 installed perl-Digest-HMAC.noarch 1.01-15 installed perl-Digest-SHA1.i386 2.11-1.2.1 installed perl-HTML-Parser.i386 3.55-1.fc6 installed ..... ....... .. perl-libxml-perl.noarch 0.08-1.2.1 base perl-suidperl.i386 4:5.8.8-10.el5_0.2 updates |
How to see detailed information about a package
The syntax is:
$ yum info {pkg-1} {pkg-2}
$ yum info htop
$ yum info nginx htop
Sample outputs:
How to show dependencies list for a package
The syntax is:
$ yum deplist {pkg}
## show for htop pkg
$ yum deplist htop
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile * base: centos.excellmedia.net * epel: repo.ugm.ac.id * extras: centos.excellmedia.net * updates: centos.excellmedia.net package: htop.x86_64 2.0.2-1.el7 dependency: libc.so.6(GLIBC_2.15)(64bit) provider: glibc.x86_64 2.17-196.el7_4.2 dependency: libgcc_s.so.1()(64bit) provider: libgcc.x86_64 4.8.5-16.el7_4.1 dependency: libgcc_s.so.1(GCC_3.0)(64bit) provider: libgcc.x86_64 4.8.5-16.el7_4.1 dependency: libgcc_s.so.1(GCC_3.3.1)(64bit) provider: libgcc.x86_64 4.8.5-16.el7_4.1 dependency: libm.so.6()(64bit) provider: glibc.x86_64 2.17-196.el7_4.2 dependency: libm.so.6(GLIBC_2.2.5)(64bit) provider: glibc.x86_64 2.17-196.el7_4.2 dependency: libncursesw.so.5()(64bit) provider: ncurses-libs.x86_64 5.9-14.20130511.el7_4 dependency: libtinfo.so.5()(64bit) provider: ncurses-libs.x86_64 5.9-14.20130511.el7_4 dependency: rtld(GNU_HASH) provider: glibc.x86_64 2.17-196.el7_4.2 provider: glibc.i686 2.17-196.el7_4.2 |
How to install the specified packages [ RPM(s) ]
To install package called httpd:
# yum install {package-name-1} {package-name-2}
# yum install httpd
# yum install nginx mariadb-server php-fpm
# yum install htop
Sample outputs:
To install a package from a local file called foo.rpm or http, or ftp mirror:
$ sudo yum localinstall foo.rpm
$ sudo yum https://server1.cyberciti.biz/foo.rpm
It is possible to install particular version too. To find or show duplicates, in repos, in list/search commands
$ yum --showduplicates list php
$ ## now install to particular version ##
$ sudo yum update-to php-version
$ sudo yum update-to php-7.0.2-1.nix
How to downgrade a package to an earlier version
The syntax is:
# yum downgrade {pkg}
# yum downgrade nginx
How to reinstall a package again
The syntax is:
# yum reinstall {pkg}
# yum reinstall httpd
How to remove / uninstall the specified packages [ RPM(s) ]
Remove package called httpd, enter:
# yum remove {package-name-1} {package-name-2}
# yum erase {package-name-1} {package-name-2}
# yum remove httpd
# yum erase htop
How to remove unneeded/unwanted packages/deps
The syntax is:
# yum autoremove
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Resolving Dependencies --> Running transaction check ---> Package tcp_wrappers-libs.x86_64 0:7.6-77.el7 will be erased --> Finished Dependency Resolution --> Finding unneeded leftover dependencies Found and removing 0 unneeded dependencies Dependencies Resolved ======================================================================================================= Package Arch Version Repository Size ======================================================================================================= Removing: tcp_wrappers-libs x86_64 7.6-77.el7 @base 131 k Transaction Summary ======================================================================================================= Remove 1 Package Installed size: 131 k Is this ok [y/N]: y Downloading packages: Running transaction check Running transaction test Transaction test succeeded Running transaction Erasing : tcp_wrappers-libs-7.6-77.el7.x86_64 1/1 Verifying : tcp_wrappers-libs-7.6-77.el7.x86_64 1/1 Removed: tcp_wrappers-libs.x86_64 0:7.6-77.el7 Complete! |
Display the list of available packages
$ yum list all
Display list of group software
Type the following command:
$ yum grouplist
OR
$ yum groups list
Output:
Installed Groups: Engineering and Scientific MySQL Database Editors System Tools Text-based Internet Legacy Network Server DNS Name Server Dialup Networking Support FTP Server Network Servers Legacy Software Development Legacy Software Support Development Libraries Graphics Web Server Ruby Printing Support Mail Server Server Configuration Tools PostgreSQL Database Available Groups: Office/Productivity Administration Tools Beagle Development Tools GNOME Software Development X Software Development Virtualization GNOME Desktop Environment Authoring and Publishing Mono Games and Entertainment XFCE-4.4 Tomboy Java Java Development Emacs X Window System Windows File Server KDE Software Development KDE (K Desktop Environment) Horde Sound and Video FreeNX and NX News Server Yum Utilities Graphical Internet Done
Install all the default packages by group
Install all ‘Development Tools’ group packages, enter:
# yum groupinstall "Development Tools"
OR
# yum groups install "Development Tools"
Update all the default packages by group
Update all ‘Development Tools’ group packages, enter:
# yum groupupdate "Development Tools"
OR
# yum groups update "Development Tools"
Remove all packages in a group
Remove all ‘Development Tools’ group packages, enter:
# yum groupremove "Development Tools"
OR
# yum groups remove "Development Tools"
Display description and contents of a package group
$ yum groupinfo 'Development Tools'
OR
$ yum groups info 'Development Tools'
$ yum groups info 'File and Print Server'
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile * base: del-mirrors.extreme-ix.org * epel: ftp.riken.jp * extras: del-mirrors.extreme-ix.org * updates: del-mirrors.extreme-ix.org Environment Group: File and Print Server Environment-Id: file-print-server-environment Description: File, print, and storage server for enterprises. Mandatory Groups: +base +core +file-server +print-server Optional Groups: +backup-client +backup-server +debugging +directory-client +guest-agents +ha +hardware-monitoring +java-platform +large-systems +network-file-system-client +performance +remote-system-management +resilient-storage |
Install particular architecture package
If you are using 64 bit RHEL version it is possible to install 32 packages (please note that 32 bit support is dropped in the latest version of CentOS/RHEL 7.x):
# yum install {package-name}.{architecture}
# yum install mysql.i386
Display packages not installed via official RHN subscribed repos
Show all packages not available via subscribed channels or repositories i.e show packages installed via other repos:
$ yum list extras
Sample output:
Loading "installonlyn" plugin Loading "security" plugin Setting up repositories Reading repository metadata in from local files Extra Packages DenyHosts.noarch 2.6-python2.4 installed VMwareTools.i386 6532-44356 installed john.i386 1.7.0.2-3.el5.rf installed kernel.i686 2.6.18-8.1.15.el5 installed kernel-devel.i686 2.6.18-8.1.15.el5 installed lighttpd.i386 1.4.18-1.el5.rf installed lighttpd-fastcgi.i386 1.4.18-1.el5.rf installed psad.i386 2.1-1 installed rssh.i386 2.3.2-1.2.el5.rf installed
Display what package provides the file
You can easily find out what RPM package provides the file. For example find out what provides the /etc/passwd file:
$ yum whatprovides /etc/passwd
OR
$ yum provides /etc/passwd
Sample output:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile * base: centos.excellmedia.net * epel: repo.ugm.ac.id * extras: centos.excellmedia.net * updates: centos.excellmedia.net setup-2.8.71-7.el7.noarch : A set of system configuration and setup files Repo : base Matched from: Filename : /etc/passwd setup-2.8.71-7.el7.noarch : A set of system configuration and setup files Repo : @base Matched from: Filename : /etc/passwd
You can use same command to list packages that satisfy dependencies:
$ yum whatprovides {dependency-1} {dependency-2}
$ yum provides string
$ yum provides '*bin/nginx*'
How to clean yum cache
You can delete all cached and downloaded package, headers and other info:
# yum clean all
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror Cleaning repos: base epel extras updates Cleaning up everything Maybe you want: rm -rf /var/cache/yum, to also free up space taken by orphaned data from disabled or removed repos Cleaning up list of fastest mirrors |
Above command can help to clear problems that can result from out-of-date headers, network errors and more. To check the local RPM database for problems:
# yum check
How to list software repositories
$ yum repolist
Sample outputs:
repo id repo name status base/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 - Base 9591 epel/x86_64 Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux 7 - x86_64 12155 extras/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 - Extras 327 nginx/x86_64 nginx repo 313 updates/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 - Updates 1573 repolist: 23959 |
See information about enabled yum repositories
To get info about nginx repo, run:
$ yum repoinfo nginx
Sample outputs:
Repo-id : nginx/x86_64 Repo-name : nginx repo Repo-status : enabled Repo-revision: 1511279401 Repo-updated : Tue Nov 21 15:50:07 2017 Repo-pkgs : 313 Repo-size : 143 M Repo-baseurl : http://nginx.org/packages/mainline/centos/7/x86_64/ Repo-expire : 21600 second(s) (last: Sat Dec 23 16:49:24 2017) Filter : read-only:present Repo-filename: /etc/yum.repos.d/nginx.repo repolist: 313 |
How to work with given repository
The syntax is:
# yum repo-pkgs repo_name_id <list|install|remove|upgrade|reinstall> [pkg]
List all packages from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx list
Get info about nginx package from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx info | more
# yum repo-pkgs nginx info nginx
Install a package named ‘nginx’ from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx install nginx
Install ALL PACKAGES from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx install
Erase/remove/delete a package named ‘nginx’ from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx remove nginx
Erase/remove/delete ALL PACKAGES from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx remove
Upgrade nginx package from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx upgrade nginx
Reinstall nginx package from nginx repository:
# yum repo-pkgs nginx reinstall nginx
How to view and use yum history
The syntax is:
# yum history
# yum history list
# yum info ID
# yum undo ID
# yum redo ID
See “CentOS / RHEL: See Detailed History Of yum Commands” for more info.
How to see help about yum command
Refer yum command man page for more information:
$ man yum
$ yum help
$ yum help install
$ yum help erase
Sample outputs:
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror erase PACKAGE... Remove a package or packages from your system alias: remove
Summary of yum command
| Command name | Description/usage |
|---|---|
| yum check-update | Display list of available package updates |
| yum update yum update pkg1 |
Update all packages or update the pkg1 package |
| yum install pkg | Install a package |
| yum localinstall pkg.rpm | Install a package from a file named pkg.rpm |
| yum erase pkg | Remove a package |
| yum remove pkg | Same as above |
| yum autoremove | Free disk space by removing unwanted packages |
| yum reinstall pkg | Reinstall a package |
| yum downgrade pkg | Downgrade a package to an older version |
| yum check | Check rpm database for errors/problems |
| yum clean packages | Delete cached packages database |
| yum clean all | Delete out all packages and meta data from disk cache |
| yum list yum list installed yum list php yum list available |
List package names |
| yum deplist pkg1 | Show dependencies for a pkg1 |
| yum info pkg | Show info about a package |
| yum search pkg yum search regex |
Search package names |
| yum provides string yum whatprovides string |
List package that provides the given file or other info |
| yum history list | Show a list of all yum command history action such as install/update/erase |
| yum history info ID | Get info of yum action ID |
| yum history undo ID | Undo the yum command action from ID |
| yum history redor ID | Redot the yum command action from ID |
| yum grouplist | List package groups |
| yum groupinstall ‘Group Name’ | Install all packages in the given group name |
| yum groupinfo ‘Group Name’ | See packages in the given group name |
| yum groupremove ‘Group Name’ | Remove/Delete all packages in the selected group |
| yum repolist | Show a list of all enabled repositories |
| yum repoinfo repoID | Show info about repoID |
| yum repo-pkgs repoID list | Show packages from repoID repo |
| yum repo-pkgs repoID install | Install all packages from repoID repo |
| yum repo-pkgs repoID remove | Erase all packages from repoID repo |
| yum repo-pkgs repoID reinstall | Reinstall all packages from repoID repo |
| yum help yum help command man yum |
Show help about yum command or read yum command man page |
- CentOS / RHEL / Scientific Linux 6/5 Enable and Install EPEL Repo
- How To Install EPEL Repo on a CentOS and RHEL 7.x
- yum command: Update / Install Packages Under Redhat Enterprise / CentOS Linux Version 5.x
Subscribe to Article
Print Article
Email Article to Friend
Export to PDF
Export to MS Word