🐳 Run RHEL 9 in Docker (Offline-Friendly)

Goal: Use RHEL 9 in Docker, save packages to your computer, and install them offline.

📦 Step 1: Create a Shared Folder

This folder will store your RPM packages (works on both Docker and your computer):

sudo mkdir -p /srv/rhel-data  
sudo chmod 777 /srv/rhel-data  # Gives full access to Docker

🐳 Step 2: Start RHEL 9 Container

docker run -d \  
  --name rhel9 \  
  -v /srv/rhel-data:/data \  # Connects host folder to container  
  registry.access.redhat.com/ubi9/ubi \  
  sleep infinity  # Keeps container running

Why? Containers stop when their main command finishes. sleep infinity keeps it alive.

🔑 Step 3: Get Inside the Container

docker exec -it rhel9 /bin/bash

You’re now in the RHEL 9 environment!

📦 Step 4: Install Package Tools

# Install package manager tools  
dnf install -y dnf-plugins-core  
  
# Optional: Install 'clear' command (to clear the screen)  
dnf install -y ncurses

📥 Step 5: Download RPMs (Online)

Option 1: Single Package

dnf download --destdir=/data httpd  # Saves to /data folder

Option 2: Package + Dependencies

dnf download --resolve --destdir=/data httpd  # Gets all required packages

Where are the RPMs?

  • Inside container: /data
  • On your computer: /srv/rhel-data

⚠️ Normal Warning (Ignore Safely)

You’ll see:

This system is not registered with an entitlement server

This is normal for UBI images. No action needed!

🔧 Step 6: Install RPMs Offline

Method 1: Install All RPMs in Folder

dnf install /data/*.rpm

Method 2: Create a Local Repository (Recommended)

  1. Generate repo metadata: 
    dnf install -y createrepo_c  
createrepo /data
  2. Create repo config file (/etc/yum.repos.d/local.repo): 
    [local]  
name=Local Packages  
baseurl=file:///data  
enabled=1  
gpgcheck=0
  3. Install packages: 
    dnf clean all  
dnf install httpd  # Now uses your local repo!

✅ Verify It Worked

httpd -v  # Should show version info

🛑 Stop/Start Container

docker stop rhel9   # Stop when done  
docker start rhel9  # Restart later