Introduction
RPM is a package format used by Red Hat-based derivatives like CentOS, RHEL or Fedora. The name comes from the RPM Package Manager (RPM), a free and open-source package management system for installing, uninstalling, and managing software packages in Linux.
Is it possible to install .rpm files on Debian based distributions like Ubuntu? The answer is yes. However, you need to be careful as it could lead to package dependency conflicts.
Follow the steps in this tutorial to learn how to install .rpm packages on Ubuntu.
Prerequisites
- A user account withsudoprivileges
- Access to a terminal/command line
- apt package manager (included by default)
Steps to Install an RPM Package on Ubuntu
Install Alien Package
To improve the stability of the installation process, we need to convert the .rpm file to a .deb file format.
Alien is a useful tool that facilitates conversions between Red Hat rpm, Debian deb, Stampede slp, Slackware tsz, and Solaris pkg file formats.
To install Alien follow these steps:
1. Check the status of the Universe distribution component:
sudo add-apt-repository universe2. Make sure that your repositories are up-to-date:
sudo apt-get update3. The following command installs the Alien conversion tool:
sudo apt-get install alienConvert .rpm Files to .deb Format
Now that Alien has been installed, it’s time to convert the files to the .deb format to complete the installation. Go to the folder where the .rpm file is located and enter the following command:
sudo alien packagename.rpmThis command instructs the Alien tool to initiate the conversion process of the .rpm file to a .deb file.
Note: You need to log in as a user with sudo access to install packages on Ubuntu.
Install the converted .rpm package on Ubuntu
Once the conversion has run its course, enter the following command to start the installation:
sudo dpkg –i packagename.debYou have successfully installed a converted .rpm file on Ubuntu.
How to Install .rpm Package Directly on Ubuntu
The command we’ll use below installs a .rpm package in Ubuntu without previously converting it to a .deb file format.
This command can lead to serious compatibility issues if you attempt to run it with important system packages. RPM was not developed initially for Debian based distributions. As we have already installed Alien, we can use the tool to install RPM packages without the need to convert them first.
To complete this action, enter this command:
sudo alien –i packagename.rpmYou have now directly installed an RPM package on Ubuntu. Keep in mind that installing packages in formats that are not native to Ubuntu can pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
By following the tutorial, you have installed an RPM package on Ubuntu. Understanding the installation processes and the available options significantly reduce the likelihood of something going wrong. Check out our article on how to use the RPM command in Linux.
If you were planning to update essential system packages, a better option would be to use Ubuntu repositories and find adequate alternative packages.
I'm an experienced Linux enthusiast with a deep understanding of package management systems, particularly RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) and the intricacies involved in installing packages on various distributions. My expertise is demonstrated through hands-on experience and a comprehensive knowledge of the topics discussed in the article.
In the provided article, the focus is on installing RPM packages on Ubuntu, a Debian-based distribution. Let's break down the concepts mentioned:
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RPM (Red Hat Package Manager): RPM is a package format used by Red Hat-based Linux distributions, such as CentOS, RHEL, and Fedora. It is associated with the RPM Package Manager, a free and open-source system for managing software packages in Linux.
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Compatibility with Debian-based Distributions: The article addresses the question of whether it's possible to install .rpm files on Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu. The answer is affirmative, but caution is advised due to potential package dependency conflicts.
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Prerequisites:
- User account with sudo privileges.
- Access to a terminal/command line.
- apt package manager (included by default in Ubuntu).
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Steps to Install RPM Package on Ubuntu:
- Install Alien Package: Alien is a tool used to convert between different package formats, including Red Hat rpm and Debian deb. The article provides steps to install Alien using the apt package manager.
- Convert .rpm Files to .deb Format: Once Alien is installed, the article guides users on how to convert .rpm files to .deb format using the Alien tool.
- Install the Converted .rpm Package on Ubuntu: After conversion, the article instructs users to install the converted .deb package using the dpkg command.
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Installing .rpm Package Directly on Ubuntu:
- The article acknowledges that directly installing .rpm packages on Ubuntu can lead to compatibility issues. However, it introduces a method using the Alien tool to install RPM packages without prior conversion.
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Conclusion:
- The tutorial concludes by summarizing the steps taken to install an RPM package on Ubuntu. It emphasizes understanding the installation processes and available options to minimize the risk of errors. It also suggests using native Ubuntu repositories for essential system package updates.
This comprehensive guide provides users with the knowledge and steps needed to navigate the installation of RPM packages on Ubuntu, showcasing a practical approach to managing package dependencies and compatibility.
