How to Convert to RHEL from CentOS

If you would like to convert from CentOS Linux to RHEL, please bookmark this article as a reference to guide you to instructions, documentation, tools, and troubleshooting that you will need to complete the upgrade.

Many organizations are planning to change from CentOS Linux to the latest version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The first step is to move from CentOS Linux to RHEL 7.

Start the RHEL Upgrade Process

Determine Your Preferred Method

Red Hat offers several ways to convert from CentOS Linux to Red Hat Linux using Convert2RHEL.

• Convert2RHEL - Convert2RHEL is a command line utility that analyzes your system’s readiness and converts RPM-based Linux operating systems (OS) to Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
• Convert from CentOS Linux using Red Hat Satellite - This feature extends the Convert2RHEL tool's experience to synchronize content on-premises using Satellite and job templates to help convert many systems at scale.
• Convert from CentOS using Red Hat Insights - This feature extends the Convert2RHEL tool's experience to the web-based Red Hat Hybrid Cloud Console to help convert many systems at scale from a web browser.

Red Hat Insights also offers Pre-Conversion Analysis in Red Hat’s hybrid cloud console. You can run the pre-conversion analysis task on CentOS Linux 7 systems that are connected to Insights. This task identifies potential issues and provides you with guidance on how to remediate these issues before you convert.

Converting to RHEL in the Cloud

More details on using Convert2RHEL in specific cloud environments:

• AWS Convert2RHEL in an AWS environment
• Microsoft Azure How to Convert CentOS Linux to Red Hat Linux on Azure microsoft.com
• Google Cloud Converting CentOS Linux to Red Hat Linux in Google Cloud
• Alicloud Use Convert2RHEL or Alicloud Tools

Ensuring continual support while converting from CentOS to RHEL

In order to continue to receive support from Red Hat, please review and comply with the RHEL Conversion Support Policy.

You must have valid and tested backups in place prior to attempting the conversion.

When to consider more help

Red Hat offers additional help for users who are tasked with an upgrade:

• If you have a Technical Account Manager, they may be able to help you through the first stages of your conversion. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them.
• Red Hat offers training on upgrading and migrating RHEL that covers the CentOS conversion process.
• If you are under a tight deadline, you may want to consider consulting to help expedite your upgrade.

Key references during your upgrade

Getting Started

• The Path from CentOS Linux to RHEL - a five-minute video that summarizes what the conversion will be like
• Pre-Conversion Analysis with Red Hat Insights (console.redhat.com)
• Interactive lab to perform a Migration to Red Hat Enterprise Linux from CentOS Linux - a step-by-step tool that simulates the migration in less than 1

Documentation

• Converting to RHEL using the Convert2RHEL utility - Step-by-step instructions to convert your CentOS operating system to RHEL, covering the most common scenarios, particularly using the CLI tool.
• Converting to RHEL using the Convert2RHEL utility in Red Hat Insights - Step-by-step instructions detailing the Red Hat Insights method of converting to RHEL

Troubleshooting, FAQs, and Other Information

• Troubleshooting Convert2RHEL
• Convert2RHEL FAQ
• Interactive Lab for Migrating from CentOS Linux to Red Hat Linux - a 51-minute lab that walks you through each step along the way of conversion