Discover how to Easily Install Vagrant on CentOS 7

Introduction

Before we begin talking about how to install Vagrant on CentOS 7, let's briefly understand – What is Vagrant?

Vagrant is a powerful open-source tool used for creating and managing virtual development environments. It simplifies the process of setting up and configuring virtual machines, making it easier for developers to collaborate and work on projects across different systems.

With Vagrant, you can quickly create reproducible environments, share them with team members, and automate the setup of complex software stacks. This versatile tool enhances productivity, streamlines workflows, and ensures consistency in development environments, ultimately saving time and effort for developers.

In this tutorial, you will install Vagrant on CentOS 7

Advantages

Simplicity: Vagrant simplifies the creation and management of virtual development environments.
Portability: Vagrant allows easy sharing of development environments, making it effortless to collaborate with team members.
Reproducibility: With Vagrant, you can recreate consistent development environments across different systems, ensuring consistent results.
Efficiency: Vagrant automates the setup of complex software stacks, saving time and effort for developers.
Flexibility: Vagrant supports multiple virtualization technologies and integrates seamlessly with popular tools, enhancing flexibility in development workflows.

Prerequisites to Install Vagrant on CentOS 7

Before continuing with this tutorial, make sure you have the following requirements met:

VirtualBox is installed on your CentOS system.
You should be logged in as a user with sudo privileges.

Installing Vagrant on CentOS

The latest stable version of Vagrant is version 2.2.6, at of the time of writing this tutorial. Visit the Vagrant downloads page to see if a new version of Vagrant is available before proceeding to the next step.

To install Vagrant on your CentOS system, enter the following command:

sudo yum install https://releases.hashicorp.com/vagrant/2.2.6/vagrant_2.2.6_x86_64.rpm

Run the following command to print the Vagrant version and confirm that the installation was successful:

vagrant --version

The output should look like the following:

Output

Vagrant 2.2.6

Getting Started with Vagrant

After Vagrant has been set up on your CentOS machine, we will demonstrate how to create a development environment.

We will be using Vagrant's default provider, VirtualBox, in this tutorial.

Firstly, make a directory that will serve as the project root directory and store the Vagrantfile file. The provisioning and configuration of the virtual machine are described in the Vagrantfile, a Ruby file.

Make a project directory, then switch to it by using:

mkdir ~/my-vagrant-project
cd ~/my-vagrant-project

The next step is to use the vagrant init command to initialize a new Vagrantfile and specify the box you want to use.

Boxes are the provider-specific package format for Vagrant environments. On the Vagrant box catalog page, you may see a list of Vagrant Boxes that are readily available.

We will use the ubuntu/bionic64 box as an example in this section. Create a new Vagrantfile by entering the following command line:

vagrant init ubuntu/bionic64

Output

A `Vagrantfile` has been placed in this directory. You are now
ready to `vagrant up` your first virtual environment! Please read
the comments in the Vagrantfile as well as documentation on
`vagrantup.com` for more information on using Vagrant.

You can open the Vagrantfile, review the comments, and make changes to suit your needs.

To create and set up the virtual machine in accordance with the Vagrantfile, use the vagrant up command.

vagrant up

Output

==> default: Configuring and enabling network interfaces...
    default: SSH address: 192.168.121.24:22
    default: SSH username: vagrant
    default: SSH auth method: private key
==> default: Rsyncing folder: /home/linuxize/Vagrant/my-vagrant-project/ => /vagrant

Vagrant also mounts the project directory at /vagrant on the virtual machine, as you can see from the output above, enabling you to work on the project's files on your host system.

Run these commands to ssh into the virtual machine:

vagrant ssh

With the following command, the virtual machine can be stopped:

vagrant halt

If the machine is already running, the following command will stop it and eliminate all resources that were produced when the machine was created:

vagrant destroy

FAQs to Install Vagrant on CentOS 7

What are the system requirements for Vagrant on CentOS 7?

Vagrant requires a 64-bit processor, at least 1GB of RAM, and approximately 200MB of disk space. It also requires a hypervisor like VirtualBox or VMware to run virtual machines.

Can I use Vagrant with CentOS 7 as a host OS?

Yes, Vagrant can be used on CentOS 7 as a host operating system. It provides a convenient way to manage virtual machines within CentOS 7.

How do I create a new Vagrant environment on CentOS 7?

After installing Vagrant, navigate to the desired directory and run vagrant init <box> to create a new Vagrant environment. Replace <box> with the desired Vagrant box name or URL.

Can I customize the Vagrant environment on CentOS 7?

Yes, Vagrant allows extensive customization. You can modify Vagrantfiles, provision software, configure networks, and more to tailor the environment to your needs.

How can I share Vagrant environments on CentOS 7?

Vagrant provides a built-in mechanism called Vagrant Cloud to share environments. You can upload your environment to Vagrant Cloud or package it as a Vagrant box and share it via file transfer or a shared repository.

Can I use Vagrant plugins with CentOS 7?

Yes, Vagrant supports plugins on CentOS 7. You can install and manage plugins to extend Vagrant's functionality and integrate with additional tools and services.

Where can I find additional documentation and resources for Vagrant on CentOS 7?

You can find comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and community resources on the Vagrant website (vagrantup.com) and the official Vagrant documentation. The Vagrant community is also active on forums and discussion boards, providing support and sharing tips and tricks.