How to Download and Install RHEL 9 for Free?

Introduction

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a popular distribution of the Linux operating system designed for enterprise use. It is widely used in data centers, cloud computing environments, and mission-critical applications due to its robustness, reliability, and scalability. RHEL 9, the latest version released in May 2021, includes several new features and enhancements that make it an attractive option for businesses seeking a secure and stable operating system.

Some of the key features of RHEL 9 include improved container capabilities with Podman and Buildah, enhanced security with OpenSCAP integration, better performance with XFS file system improvements, simplified application development with support for multiple programming languages like Python 3.9 and Node.js 14.16. The new version also comes with updated versions of popular software packages like MariaDB 10.5 database server, Git version control system, Ansible automation tool etc.

System Requirements

RHEL 9 is a powerful and feature-rich operating system that requires specific system specifications to run smoothly. Before downloading and installing RHEL 9, it's important to make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements to ensure optimal performance.

Detailed list of minimum system requirements for RHEL 9

The minimum system requirements for RHEL 9 are as follows −

• 64-bit processor

• 2 GB RAM (recommended 4GB or more)

• 20 GB of free disk space (recommended 40 GB or more)

• VGA-capable video card with monitor resolution at least 800x600 pixels

• A wired Ethernet adapter (Wi-Fi adapters are not recommended during installation)

Note that these are the bare minimum requirements to run RHEL 9. The actual resource usage will depend on what applications and services you will run on your machine.

Recommended system specifications for optimal performance

If you want to use RHEL 9 comfortably with multiple applications running at once, you should consider upgrading your hardware beyond the minimum requirements. Here are some recommended specifications −

• 64-bit processor with multiple cores (recommended quad-core or higher)

• 8 GB RAM or more, depending on your workload

• A solid-state drive (SSD) with at least 100 GB of storage capacityA dedicated graphics card with at least two gigabytes of video memory if you plan to use graphic-intensive software such as CAD programs.

While the minimum system requirements will allow you to install and use RHEL 9, upgrading your hardware will provide more optimal performance and better overall experience.

Downloading RHEL 9 ISO Image File

Before starting the installation process, you need to download the RHEL 9 ISO image file from the official Red Hat website. The ISO image file is a complete copy of the software that you can use to install RHEL 9 on your system.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to download the RHEL 9 ISO image file −

• Go to https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/479/

• Login with your Red Hat account. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free.

• Agree to the terms and conditions of Red Hat's software license agreement.

• Select the version of RHEL 9 that matches your system architecture and click "Download Now".

The ISO image file will start downloading. Depending on your internet connection speed, it may take a few minutes or longer.

Creating a Bootable USB Drive or DVD with RHEL 9 ISO Image File

Once you have downloaded the RHEL 9 ISO image file, you need to create a bootable USB drive or DVD in order to install it on your preferred system. This process involves copying the ISO image file onto a USB drive or burning it onto a DVD and making it bootable so that your system can read and use it as an installation medium.

Instructions on how to create a bootable USB drive or DVD using the downloaded ISO image file

There are several tools and methods available for creating a bootable USB drive or DVD using the downloaded RHEL 9 ISO image file.

Here are the step-by-step instructions −

• Insert your USB drive into an available port on your system.

• Download and install Etcher from their official website.

• Open Etcher and select the RHEL 9 ISO image file you have downloaded.

• Select your USB drive as the target device.

Click on "Flash!" button to start copying files from ISO to flash drive. Wait for completion message before proceeding.

If you prefer burning an optical disc instead of creating a bootable USB device, then you can use built-in disk utility software in many operating systems including Window's Disk Image Burner, MacOS's Disk Utility, etc.

Installing RHEL 9

The installation process is straightforward and can be accomplished in a few simple steps. However, before you start the installation process, make sure you have backed up all your important data from the system as it will be overwritten during the installation.

Detailed instructions on how to install RHEL 9 from the bootable USB drive or DVD

To install RHEL 9, insert the bootable USB drive or DVD into your system and restart it. The installation process will start automatically. If it doesn't, you may need to change your system's BIOS settings to prioritize booting from the USB drive or DVD.

Once the installation process is started, follow these steps −

• Select your preferred language for the installer.

• Select the appropriate time zone and configure date and time settings.

• Choose whether you want a graphical or text-based installation mode. The graphical option provides a more user-friendly interface for users who are new to Linux installations, while text-based mode offers more configuration options but requires some familiarity with Linux command-line interfaces.

• Create partitioning scheme according to your needs. You can choose automatic partitioning which automatically creates partitions based on your disk size or use custom partitioning where you can manually create partitions.

• Select packages that you want to install according to your requirements.

• Create a root user account and additional user accounts if necessary.

• Review and confirm all settings before proceeding with the installation process.

Post-Installation Configuration

Setting Up User Accounts

The first step in post-installation configuration is setting up user accounts. You can create user accounts with administrative privileges or standard users account for daily operations.

Administrative user accounts are useful when performing tasks such as installing packages or configuring network settings, while standard user accounts are useful when accessing data files or applications. To create a new user account, open the terminal window and run the following command: $ sudo adduser username

Network Configuration

Configuring RHEL 9 network settings enables you to connect to the internet, share files, and access network resources. There are different methods of configuring network settings in RHEL 9, including using Network Manager and editing configuration files manually.

Using Network Manager is the simplest method for configuring network settings in RHEL 9. To configure network settings using Network Manager, go to "Settings" -> "Network" -> "Wired" or "Wireless", depending on your system's hardware.

Package Updates

Updating packages after installation ensures that all software installed on your system is up to date, which is important for security and performance reasons. To update packages, use the following command: $ sudo dnf update

This will update all installed packages on your system.

Conclusion

Knowing how to download and install RHEL 9 for free opens up opportunities for individuals and organizations alike by providing access to an enterprise-grade operating system without breaking their budget. By following this guide and using some troubleshooting tips if necessary, you should be able to successfully install RHEL 9 on your computer or server. With its advanced features such as enhanced security, containerization technology, and improved performance optimization tools makes it an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes who value reliability and stability in their IT environments.