How to Install Rancher on CentOS 7

Rancher, an open-source container management platform, provides a user-friendly interface for managing and deploying containerized applications. Installing Rancher on CentOS 7 is a straightforward process that allows you to take advantage of its robust features. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to successfully install Rancher on your CentOS 7 server.

Step 1: Prerequisites
Before diving into the installation process, ensure that your CentOS 7 server meets the following prerequisites:

• A CentOS 7 server with sudo privileges.
• Docker installed on the server.

If Docker is not installed, you can use the following command to install it:

sudo yum install docker

Step 2: Install Rancher using Docker Run Command
Once Docker is installed, you can use the following Docker run command to install Rancher:

sudo docker run -d --restart=unless-stopped -p 80:80 -p 443:443 rancher/rancher

This command pulls the latest Rancher image from Docker Hub and runs it as a detached container. The options specified ensure that Rancher restarts automatically and maps ports 80 and 443 for HTTP and HTTPS access.

Step 3: Access Rancher Web Interface
After the installation is complete, open your web browser and navigate to your server's IP address or domain name. You should see the Rancher login page. Create an admin password and click "Continue" to access the Rancher server.

Step 4: Add a Cluster
Once logged in, click on the "Add Cluster" button. Choose the desired cluster type, and Rancher will provide you with the necessary instructions for adding a cluster to your Rancher server.

Step 5: Deploying Applications
With Rancher installed and a cluster added, you can now deploy containerized applications. Click on the "Default" project and then "Deploy." Follow the on-screen instructions to deploy and manage your applications effortlessly.

More Examples:

• Backing up Rancher Data:
  To back up Rancher data, run the following command:

  sudo docker run --volumes-from rancher-data -v $(pwd):/backup ubuntu tar cvf /backup/rancher-data-backup.tar /var/lib/rancher
  

• Restoring Rancher Data:
  To restore Rancher data from a backup, use the following command:

  sudo docker run --volumes-from rancher-data -v $(pwd):/backup ubuntu bash -c "cd / && tar xvf /backup/rancher-data-backup.tar"
  

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Rancher on CentOS 7, providing a powerful platform to manage your containerized applications. Explore Rancher's features and functionalities to streamline your container orchestration.