EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) and RepoForge are both open-source YUM repositories that provide software packages for Linux-based systems such as CentOS, Red Hat Linux, and Scientific Linux. Both repositories have thousands of software packages in RPM format.

Formerly known as RPMForge, RepoForge stands as a robust repository boasting an extensive collection of Linux binary RPM packages. The EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) repository is a significant project managed by the Fedora community. It focuses on creating and managing top-quality additional packages designed for business environments. These packages cater not only to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) but also find utility in various Linux-based systems, including Scientific Linux (SL).

Features of EPEL & RepoForge Repositories :

  1. In both projects managed RPM packages for Red Hat Enterprise Linux ( RHEL ), CentOS, Scientific Linux
  2. Repositories provide packages for servers, desktops, and development.
  3. Both support an open-source community.
  4. Bulk package management works with YUM commands.

Now we are going to install both repo on different version of RHEL / CentOS . In Start we need to download  rpm package from respective project repository  and then install from RPM command.Find below to install repository on CentOs/RHEL and Scientific Linux etc.

EPEL Repository for RHEL 7 / CentOS 7

# wget https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-7.noarch.rpm
# rpm -Uvh epel-release-latest-7.noarch.rpm

EPEL Repository for RHEL 8 / CentOS 8

# wget https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-8.noarch.rpm 
# rpm -ivh epel-release-latest-8.noarch.rpm 

Now, CentOS has released the Stream version of CentOS 8 and 9, intended for future enterprise releases. If you plan to use the Stream version, make sure to include the Next, along with the ‘epel-release’ package.

Repository EPEL for CentOS Stream 8 & 9 Version

 dnf install epel-release epel-next-release 

Installing RepoForge On RHEL 7 /CentOS  7

# wget http://repository.it4i.cz/mirrors/repoforge/redhat/el7/en/x86_64/rpmforge/RPMS/rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el7.rf.x86_64.rpm
# rpm -Uvh rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el7.rf.x86_64.rpm

Install RepoForge On RHEL 6 /CentOS  6

# wget http://repository.it4i.cz/mirrors/repoforge/redhat/el6/en/x86_64/rpmforge/RPMS/rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el6.rf.x86_64.rpm
# rpm -Uvh http://repository.it4i.cz/mirrors/repoforge/redhat/el6/en/x86_64/rpmforge/RPMS/rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el6.rf.x86_64.rpm 

Install RepoForge On RHEL 5 / CentOS  5

# wget http://repository.it4i.cz/mirrors/repoforge/redhat/el5/en/x86_64/rpmforge/RPMS/rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el5.rf.x86_64.rpm
# rpm -Uvh rpmforge-release-0.5.3-1.el5.rf.x86_64.rpm 

Verify Installation

Confirm that both repository is successfully installed by checking the enabled repositories.

yum repolist 

Enjoy the enhanced functionality and flexibility that these repositories bring to your Linux environment.

By Sachin G

I am a professional freelance contributor and founder of tech transit. Love to write and lover of education, culture, and community. I have been using it, setting, supporting, and maintaining it since 2009.Linux rocks! Sachin G Follow me on LinkedIn and x formerly twitter