RPM and DNF solve different parts of software management on Red Hat-style Linux systems. This hands-on course lets you work at both layers: inspecting and installing individual RPM files, then using DNF to track transactions and consume a repository.
You will query real package records, observe a failed manual install with unresolved dependencies, reverse a recorded DNF transaction, and turn a directory of RPM files into a local repository. A final challenge asks you to repeat the repository workflow with less guidance and install zsh from the configured source.
What You Will Learn
- Check whether packages are installed and list the files they provide with
rpm - Trace an installed file to its owning package and inspect an uninstalled RPM file
- Download, install, verify, and remove a local RPM package
- Explain why direct RPM installation does not resolve repository dependencies automatically
- Review DNF transaction history and undo a specific package installation
- Generate repository metadata with
createrepo_cand register a localfile://source - Verify a local repository and install a package through DNF
Who This Course Is For
This intermediate course is for Linux learners, system administrators, and DevOps practitioners who want practical experience with RPM-based package management and a small local repository workflow.
Prerequisites: Comfort using a Linux shell, navigating files and directories, and running administrative commands with sudo. Prior exposure to basic package installation is helpful but not required.
Learning environment: A Red Hat-style Linux terminal with rpm, dnf, createrepo_c, and administrator privileges. The repository is local to the lab machine and disables GPG checking for practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the practical difference between RPM and DNF in this course?
You use rpm to query the installed-package database and operate directly on package files. You use DNF for repository-aware installation, dependency handling, and recorded transaction history.
Will I build a production-ready package repository?
No. You build and register a functional repository on the local filesystem. The labs deliberately use gpgcheck=0 and do not cover package signing, HTTPS hosting, access control, mirrors, or multi-host distribution.
Does the course include a genuine rollback exercise?
Yes. You install zip, locate that transaction in dnf history, undo its transaction ID, and verify both the package removal and the new undo record.
