How To Install Podman on Rocky Linux 10

Container technology has revolutionized modern software deployment, and Podman stands out as a powerful, secure alternative to traditional container engines. This comprehensive guide walks you through installing Podman on Rocky Linux 10, covering everything from basic setup to advanced configuration.

Podman (Pod Manager) represents a significant advancement in container management technology. Unlike Docker’s daemon-based architecture, Podman operates without a central daemon, providing enhanced security and improved resource efficiency. Red Hat developed this open-source tool to address security concerns and operational limitations found in traditional container solutions.

The security advantages of Podman become apparent immediately. Rootless containers eliminate many attack vectors that plague daemon-based systems. No privileged daemon means reduced system exposure and better compliance with security frameworks. Additionally, Podman’s compatibility with Docker CLI commands ensures seamless migration for existing Docker users.

Rocky Linux 10 provides an excellent foundation for containerized workloads. Its enterprise-grade stability, combined with comprehensive container support, makes it ideal for production environments. The distribution’s focus on security and performance aligns perfectly with Podman’s design principles, creating a robust platform for modern application deployment.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

System Specifications

Rocky Linux 10 requires specific hardware resources for optimal Podman performance. Minimum requirements include 2GB RAM, though 4GB provides better container operation. Storage needs vary based on container usage, but allocating at least 20GB for the root filesystem ensures adequate space for images and containers.

Processor architecture support encompasses x86_64 and ARM64 platforms. Multi-core processors significantly improve container build and deployment times. Network connectivity remains essential for downloading container images and accessing repositories.

User Privileges and Access

Administrative access through root or sudo privileges is mandatory for initial Podman installation. However, post-installation operation supports rootless containers for enhanced security. Regular users can manage containers without elevated privileges once proper configuration is complete.

User account preparation involves verifying sudo access and understanding security implications. Administrative installation affects system-wide container capabilities, while rootless operation provides isolated user environments.

Network and Repository Access

Internet connectivity enables package downloads and container image pulls. Rocky Linux 10 includes default repositories containing Podman packages. EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) repository provides additional container tools and utilities.

Firewall configuration may require adjustment for container networking. Default Rocky Linux 10 settings typically accommodate basic container operations, but complex networking scenarios might need specific firewall rules.

Understanding Podman Architecture

Daemonless Design Benefits

Podman’s revolutionary daemonless architecture eliminates the single point of failure found in daemon-based systems. Traditional container engines require a constantly running daemon process with root privileges, creating security vulnerabilities and resource overhead. Podman’s fork/exec model spawns containers directly, reducing attack surface and improving system stability.

Resource efficiency improves dramatically without daemon overhead. System memory usage decreases, and CPU cycles previously dedicated to daemon management become available for actual workloads. This architecture also prevents daemon crashes from affecting running containers, enhancing overall system reliability.

Rootless Container Operation

User namespace implementation allows non-privileged users to run containers safely. This approach isolates container processes within user namespaces, preventing privilege escalation attacks. SELinux integration provides additional security layers, enforcing mandatory access controls on container operations.

Comparison with Docker reveals significant security advantages. Docker requires root daemon access, creating potential privilege escalation vectors. Podman’s rootless design eliminates these risks while maintaining full container functionality.

Pod Management Capabilities

Native pod support distinguishes Podman from other container engines. Pods group related containers sharing network and storage resources, similar to Kubernetes pod concepts. This capability simplifies multi-container application deployment and management.

Network namespace sharing between containers within pods enables complex application architectures. Database containers can communicate with application containers using localhost addresses, simplifying configuration and improving performance.

Pre-Installation System Preparation

System Updates and Package Management

Updating Rocky Linux 10 ensures compatibility and security before Podman installation. The DNF (Dandified YUM) package manager handles all system updates and package installations efficiently.

sudo dnf update -y

This command updates all installed packages to their latest versions. The process may take several minutes depending on system state and available updates. Reboot the system if kernel updates are installed to ensure proper functionality.

Verify system integrity using DNF’s check command:

sudo dnf check

This validation ensures package database consistency and identifies any dependency issues before proceeding with Podman installation.

Repository Configuration

Rocky Linux 10 includes AppStream repository containing Podman packages by default. This repository provides officially supported container tools and regular security updates. Verify repository availability using:

sudo dnf repolist

The output should display enabled repositories including BaseOS and AppStream. If additional packages are needed, EPEL repository installation provides extended functionality:

sudo dnf install epel-release

Third-party repositories should be used cautiously in production environments. Stick to official Rocky Linux repositories for maximum stability and security compliance.

Firewall and Security Considerations

Rocky Linux 10 includes firewalld for network security management. Default settings typically accommodate basic container operations, but complex scenarios may require adjustment. Container networking uses specific port ranges and network interfaces that firewall rules must accommodate.

SELinux operates in enforcing mode by default, providing mandatory access control for container operations. This security feature enhances container isolation while requiring proper policy configuration for advanced use cases.

Installing Podman on Rocky Linux 10

Installation via DNF Package Manager

Installing Podman requires a single DNF command that handles all dependencies automatically. The package manager downloads and installs Podman along with required libraries and tools.

sudo dnf install podman -y

The installation process displays package information including download size and dependency requirements. Large dependency lists indicate comprehensive functionality but may require significant download time on slower connections.

Package verification occurs automatically during installation. DNF validates package signatures and checksums ensuring authenticity and integrity. Error messages during this phase indicate potential repository or network issues requiring resolution.

Dependency resolution handles complex package relationships automatically. Container-selinux, runc, and conmon packages install alongside Podman to provide complete container functionality. These dependencies ensure proper container runtime operation and security policy enforcement.

Verifying Successful Installation

Installation verification confirms Podman availability and basic functionality. Version checking provides immediate confirmation of successful installation:

podman --version

The command should return version information similar to “podman version 4.x.x”. Version numbers indicate feature availability and compatibility with various container images and tools.

Basic functionality testing involves pulling a simple container image:

podman pull hello-world

This command downloads a minimal test image and confirms registry connectivity. Successful completion indicates proper Podman installation and network configuration.

Installing Additional Container Tools

Complete container management requires additional tools beyond basic Podman installation. Buildah provides advanced image building capabilities, while Skopeo handles image operations and registry management.

sudo dnf install buildah skopeo -y

The container-tools module provides integrated container management functionality. This module groups related packages ensuring compatibility and simplified management:

sudo dnf module install container-tools

Module installation manages package versions and dependencies automatically, preventing compatibility issues between container tools.

Post-Installation Configuration

User Configuration Setup

Rootless container operation requires specific user configuration. Subuid and subgid files define user namespace mapping for non-privileged container operation. These files specify available UID and GID ranges for user namespaces.

Check existing configuration:

cat /etc/subuid
cat /etc/subgid

Default installations typically include appropriate entries for existing users. Manual configuration may be necessary for custom user setups:

echo "username:100000:65536" | sudo tee -a /etc/subuid
echo "username:100000:65536" | sudo tee -a /etc/subgid

Replace “username” with the actual username requiring container access. These entries allocate 65,536 subordinate IDs starting from 100,000.

User namespace mapping enables security isolation while maintaining container functionality. Proper configuration prevents privilege escalation while allowing normal container operations.

Storage and Registry Configuration

Container storage configuration affects performance and disk usage. Podman uses configurable storage drivers and locations for container data. Default settings work for most use cases but may require optimization for specific environments.

Storage configuration file location:

~/.config/containers/storage.conf

Registry configuration defines default image sources and authentication settings. The containers.conf file controls registry behavior:

~/.config/containers/containers.conf

Default registry settings determine image pull sources when registry names are omitted. Multiple registries provide redundancy and improved availability.

System Integration

Systemd integration enables container service management using standard Linux service tools. Podman generates systemd unit files for automatic container startup and management.

Generate systemd service files:

podman generate systemd --new --name container_name

This command creates service files suitable for systemd management. Copy generated files to appropriate systemd directories for system-wide or user-specific services.

Log management integration provides centralized logging through journald. Container logs appear in system journals alongside other service logs, simplifying monitoring and troubleshooting.

Basic Podman Operations and Commands

Essential Container Commands

Container management begins with image retrieval from registries. Podman supports multiple registry formats including Docker Hub, Quay.io, and private registries. Image pulling downloads container images locally for execution.

podman pull registry.access.redhat.com/ubi8/ubi

This command retrieves the Universal Base Image (UBI) from Red Hat’s registry. UBI provides a secure, enterprise-grade foundation for containerized applications.

Running containers requires image specification and optional parameters:

podman run -it --name my-container ubi8/ubi /bin/bash

Interactive mode (-it) provides terminal access for debugging and testing. Named containers (–name) simplify management and reference in subsequent commands.

Container lifecycle management includes starting, stopping, and removing containers:

podman start my-container
podman stop my-container
podman rm my-container

These commands control container execution state and cleanup resources when containers are no longer needed.

Image Management

Local image management involves listing, inspecting, and removing container images. Regular cleanup prevents disk space exhaustion and maintains system performance.

List available images:

podman images

This command displays image repository, tag, image ID, creation date, and size information. Large image collections may require filtering or pagination for readability.

Image inspection reveals detailed metadata including configuration, environment variables, and layer information:

podman inspect image_name

Detailed inspection output helps understand image composition and configuration requirements for proper container operation.

Remove unused images to reclaim disk space:

podman rmi image_name
podman image prune

The prune command removes all dangling images automatically, while rmi removes specific images by name or ID.

Container Networking and Volumes

Container networking enables communication between containers and external systems. Port mapping exposes container services to host networks and external clients.

podman run -p 8080:80 nginx

This command maps host port 8080 to container port 80, making the nginx web server accessible through the host system.

Volume mounting provides persistent data storage beyond container lifecycle. Bind mounts and named volumes offer different approaches to data persistence.

podman run -v /host/path:/container/path image_name
podman run -v volume_name:/container/path image_name

Bind mounts directly map host directories into containers, while named volumes provide managed storage with improved portability.

Container-to-container communication uses shared networks or pod configurations. Pods enable localhost communication between containers sharing network namespaces.

Advanced Podman Features

Pod Creation and Management

Pod functionality groups multiple containers sharing network and storage resources. This approach simplifies complex application deployment while maintaining container isolation for individual services.

Create a new pod:

podman pod create --name my-pod -p 8080:80

Pod creation establishes shared networking infrastructure for member containers. Port mapping applies to the entire pod rather than individual containers.

Add containers to existing pods:

podman run --pod my-pod --name web-server nginx
podman run --pod my-pod --name app-server python:3.9

Containers within pods communicate using localhost addresses, simplifying configuration and improving performance for multi-tier applications.

Pod lifecycle management mirrors container operations:

podman pod start my-pod
podman pod stop my-pod
podman pod rm my-pod

Pod operations affect all member containers simultaneously, providing coordinated management for related services.

Kubernetes Integration

Podman’s Kubernetes compatibility enables seamless migration from local development to orchestrated environments. YAML generation creates Kubernetes-compatible deployment specifications from existing containers and pods.

Generate Kubernetes YAML:

podman generate kube my-pod > my-pod.yaml

Generated YAML includes pod definitions, container specifications, and volume configurations suitable for Kubernetes deployment.

Migration strategies involve testing generated YAML in development Kubernetes clusters before production deployment. Compatibility verification ensures proper functionality across different environments.

Container Security Features

SELinux integration provides mandatory access control for container operations. Policy enforcement prevents unauthorized access and limits potential security breaches.

Verify SELinux status:

sestatus

Enforcing mode provides maximum security but may require policy adjustments for custom applications. Permissive mode logs violations without enforcement, facilitating policy development.

User namespace security benefits include process isolation and privilege limitation. Rootless containers operate within user namespaces, preventing privilege escalation attacks.

Security scanning capabilities help identify vulnerabilities in container images. Integration with vulnerability databases provides early warning of security issues.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Installation Problems

Package dependency resolution failures may occur with corrupted repositories or network issues. Clear DNF cache and refresh repository metadata to resolve most dependency problems:

sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf makecache

Repository access problems often stem from firewall restrictions or DNS configuration issues. Verify network connectivity and DNS resolution for repository URLs.

Permission errors during installation indicate insufficient user privileges. Ensure sudo access or root login for system package installation.

Runtime Issues

Container startup failures require careful error message analysis. Common issues include missing images, invalid commands, or resource constraints.

Debug container startup:

podman run --rm -it image_name /bin/sh

Interactive troubleshooting allows command testing and environment inspection within container contexts.

Network connectivity problems may involve firewall rules, SELinux policies, or network configuration issues. Verify host networking functionality before investigating container-specific problems.

Storage mounting failures often result from permission issues or missing host directories. Ensure proper ownership and permissions for bind mount sources.

Performance Optimization

Container resource management prevents resource exhaustion and improves system stability. Memory and CPU limits control resource allocation per container.

podman run --memory=512m --cpus=1.0 image_name

Resource constraints prevent individual containers from consuming excessive system resources and affecting other workloads.

Storage driver optimization affects I/O performance and disk usage. Different storage drivers provide varying performance characteristics depending on workload requirements.

Monitoring and logging configuration enables performance tracking and issue identification. Integration with system monitoring tools provides comprehensive visibility into container performance.

Best Practices and Security

Security Best Practices

Rootless container deployment eliminates many security risks associated with privileged container operation. Design applications for rootless operation from the beginning to maximize security benefits.

Image security involves using trusted base images and regular vulnerability scanning. Minimize image size and complexity to reduce attack surface and improve deployment speed.

podman scan image_name

Regular security scanning identifies known vulnerabilities and suggests remediation strategies for improved security posture.

Network security requires careful consideration of container communication requirements. Limit network exposure to essential services and implement proper access controls.

Performance Optimization

Container resource allocation should match application requirements without excessive overhead. Monitor resource usage patterns to optimize memory and CPU allocation.

Storage optimization techniques include layer caching, multi-stage builds, and efficient base image selection. Smaller images improve transfer speeds and reduce storage requirements.

Monitoring and logging best practices involve centralized log collection and performance metrics aggregation. Integration with existing monitoring infrastructure provides comprehensive visibility.

Maintenance and Updates

Regular system updates ensure security patches and feature improvements. Schedule maintenance windows for system updates and container image refreshes.

sudo dnf update
podman image prune -a

Image cleanup routines prevent disk space exhaustion and maintain system performance. Automated cleanup scripts can run periodically to maintain optimal storage usage.

Backup strategies should include both container data and configuration files. Document recovery procedures for disaster recovery scenarios.

Comparison with Docker

Key Technical Differences

Architectural differences between Podman and Docker affect security, performance, and operational characteristics. Podman’s daemonless design eliminates single points of failure and reduces resource overhead.

Root versus rootless operation represents a fundamental security distinction. Docker’s daemon requires root privileges, while Podman supports fully rootless operation for enhanced security.

Resource usage patterns differ significantly between daemon-based and daemonless architectures. Podman typically consumes fewer system resources due to elimination of daemon overhead.

Migration Considerations

Docker Compose compatibility enables gradual migration from Docker environments. Podman includes podman-compose for Docker Compose file compatibility.

podman-compose up -f docker-compose.yml

Command-line interface similarities minimize learning curves for Docker users. Most Docker commands work identically with Podman, facilitating smooth transitions.

Ecosystem differences may require tool adaptations or alternatives. Evaluate third-party integrations and tools for Podman compatibility before migration.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Podman. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Podman containers on your Rocky Linux 10 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Podman website.