How to Install an RPM Package in WHM?

RPM (RPM Package Manager) is a well-established package management system that utilizes repositories to store software packages widely used on Linux distributions such as CentOS, which are frequently used for web hosting servers. Providing software through RPM packages promotes proper installation, in which all the dependencies are resolved automatically. WHM (WebHostManager) becomes a tool that makes installing the RPM packages on your dedicated or VPS server easier with an intuitive interface.

Pre-requisites

The first step is to ensure you have met all the listed installation requirements before starting the RPM installation.

- Root-level access to WHM

- The RPM package file downloaded on your server

- Adequate disk space for the package installation

As a preventive measure, it's obligatory to create a complete backup of your server before installing the new packages.

Step 1: Log into WHM

Access your server's WHM by visiting https. If you want to install Portainer on a remote server, you need to SSH into that machine here by entering your IP address and passing your root credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to the RPM Installation Interface

As we continue, scroll to WHM's page with the "Software" section and click the "Install an RPM" icon.

Step 3: Upload the RPM Package

On the "Install an RPM" page, there are two methods to provide the RPM package:

Method 1: Upload from your local machine

- Click "Browse" and select the RPM file from your local computer

- Click the "Open" button to initiate the upload

Method 2: Use a package URL

- If the package is available online, enter the direct URL in the text field

- Click "Get RPM info" to fetch package details

Once the RPM file is uploaded or the URL is provided, WHM will display package information such as name, version, release, and size.

Step 4: Review Package Details

Carefully review the package details before installation. Ensure the package version and release match your requirements. You can also read the package description for a better understanding.

Step 5: Initiate Installation

If you're satisfied with the package details, scroll down and click the "Install RPM" button. WHM will now install the package along with any missing dependencies.

Step 6: Monitor Installation Progress

A new window will open, displaying the installation progress and log output. Wait to close this window until the installation completes successfully.

Step 7: Verify Successful Installation

Once the installation finishes, the log window will indicate a successful installation with an "RPM Installation Complete" message. You can verify the installed package under the "Installed RPMs" section in WHM's package management interface.

Advanced Options

WHM's RPM installation interface provides a few advanced options:

- "Install RPM for all users on the server" - This option installs the package for all users on the shared server environment.

- "Email the RPM install log to" - Specify an email address to receive the installation log.

- "Additional RPM Arguments" - Pass additional arguments to the RPM installer if required

Updating and Removing Packages

WHM also allows you to update or remove installed RPM packages conveniently:

To update a package:

- Navigate to "Software"> "Package Updates" in WHM.

- Select the package you want to update and click "UpdatePkg."

To remove a package:

- Navigate to "Software"> "Remove RPMs" in WHM

- Select the package and click "Remove Selected RPM."

You should never remove a package unless you are sure that other packages will not depend on the same software.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during installation, refer to the following troubleshooting steps: If you experience any problems during installation, refer to the following troubleshooting steps:

- Also, review the installation log for errors and then implement the correct action based on the reported errors.

- The recommended action is to ensure you have the proper package for your server's operating system (32-bit or 64-bit) architecture.

- Be sure you make space on your disk equal to the size of the installed package.

- If this issue is consistent, please use your hosting provider's support team or consult online forums and documentation.

Best Practices

To ensure a smooth RPM package installation process, follow these best practices:

- Always backup your server before installing new packages which can help you to override deduplication compression.

- Review system information carefully and perform only trusted installation from trusted sources.

- Always be on the lookout for security updates on your server packages and core packages. They will undoubtedly come up regularly.

- Observe administrative directions (CPU memory, disk space) after installing a new package to pinpoint performance bottlenecks.

- Please record installed packages and their versions and track the problems for convenient management.

Conclusion

Management of software applications is an easy task that is done via the RPM packages installed through WHM at the web hosting server level. Hence, you can effortlessly install, upgrade, remove, and use RPM packages and WHM's user-friendly interface by following the steps mentioned in the general guide. Be mindful of backups and best practices such as using firewalls and antivirus, as well as help engineers when required to keep a server environment robust.