How to Install Minikube on CentOS 8

Minikube is a powerful tool that allows developers to run Kubernetes clusters locally for testing and development purposes. If you're using CentOS 8 and want to harness the capabilities of Minikube, you're in the right place. In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing Minikube on CentOS 8, ensuring you have a smooth experience setting up your local Kubernetes environment.

Prerequisites:

Before we dive into the installation process, make sure you have the following prerequisites in place:

1. A CentOS 8 machine with administrative privileges.
2. A working internet connection.

Step 1: Update Your System:

To begin, let's make sure your system is up-to-date. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

sudo dnf update -y

Step 2: Install Virtualization Software (KVM or VirtualBox):

Minikube requires a virtualization solution, and two popular choices are KVM and VirtualBox. Choose one based on your preference. For KVM, use the following commands:

sudo dnf install -y qemu-kvm libvirt virt-install libvirt-client
sudo systemctl start libvirtd
sudo systemctl enable libvirtd

If you prefer VirtualBox, install it with:

sudo dnf install -y VirtualBox

Step 3: Install kubectl:

Minikube also relies on kubectl, the Kubernetes command-line tool. Install it using:

sudo dnf install -y kubectl

Step 4: Install Minikube:

Now, let's install Minikube. Run the following commands:

curl -LO https://storage.googleapis.com/minikube/releases/latest/minikube-latest.x86_64.rpm
sudo dnf install -y minikube-latest.x86_64.rpm

Step 5: Start Minikube Cluster:

With Minikube installed, it's time to start your local Kubernetes cluster. Execute:

minikube start --driver=<driver>

Replace <driver> with either kvm2 or virtualbox, depending on your virtualization choice.

Step 6: Verify Minikube Status:

To confirm that Minikube is running successfully, use:

minikube status

This command should display a positive status for your cluster.

Additional Tips:

Pause and Resume Minikube:

You can pause and resume your Minikube cluster to save resources when it's not in use. To pause, run:

minikube pause

To resume, use:

minikube unpause

Delete Minikube Cluster:

If you want to delete your Minikube cluster, use:

minikube delete

Congratulations! You've successfully installed Minikube on CentOS 8, and now you're ready to explore the vast world of Kubernetes on your local machine. Feel free to experiment with different configurations and deploy applications within your Minikube cluster.