A Beginner’s Journey: Installing Cinnamon on AlmaLinux 9

Are you looking to transform your command-line-only AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux server into a user-friendly desktop environment? The Cinnamon Desktop might be exactly what you need. Originally developed for Linux Mint, Cinnamon has become a popular choice among Linux users for its:

Modern and intuitive interface

Windows-like familiar layout

Excellent system performance

Customization options

While AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are primarily designed for server environments, adding a desktop environment can make system administration tasks more manageable, especially for those who prefer graphical interfaces over command-line operations.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through installing the Cinnamon Desktop environment on your AlmaLinux 9 or Rocky Linux 9 server. Whether you’re a system administrator looking to streamline your workflow or a Linux enthusiast wanting to explore different desktop environments, this tutorial has you covered.

Note: Before proceeding with installation, ensure your system meets the minimum hardware requirements and has a stable internet connection.

What is a Cinnamon Desktop?

Cinnamon is a free and open-source desktop environment primarily for Linux operating systems, designed to provide a traditional and user-friendly experience. Originating from the Linux Mint project, it was developed in response to changes in GNOME 3 that moved away from the classic desktop metaphor. Cinnamon aims to recreate the familiar layout of GNOME 2, featuring a traditional start menu, taskbar, and system tray, while incorporating modern desktop features and customization options. This makes it a popular choice for users who prefer a straightforward and intuitive desktop environment.

Why Choose Cinnamon Desktop?

Familiar layout: Feels like classic Windows/GNOME 2.

Easy to use: Intuitive and straightforward.

Customizable: Themes, panels, “Spices” for personalization.

Stable and reliable: Solid performance.

Good performance: Relatively lightweight.

Feature-rich: Contains many useful features.

Read: WordPress on Windows: Installation Made Simple

Steps to install Cinnamon Desktop on AlmaLinux 9 or Rocky 9 server

Installing the Cinnamon desktop environment on AlmaLinux 9 or Rocky Linux 9 server involves several steps. Since these distributions are typically server-oriented and may not have a graphical user interface (GUI) installed by default, you’ll need to install the necessary packages.

Important Considerations:

• Server vs. Desktop:
  
  • AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are often used as server operating systems. Therefore, installing a desktop environment might not be the standard practice.  
  • Ensure that you understand the implications of adding a GUI to your server, especially regarding resource consumption and potential security considerations.
    
• Dependencies: Installing a desktop environment will pull in a significant number of dependencies.
  
• Root Privileges: You’ll need root privileges to perform these installations.

Installation Steps:

1. Update Your System: It’s crucial to update your system before installing any new packages

sudo dnf update -y

2. Install the EPEL Repository (if needed): The Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux (EPEL) repository provides additional packages that might be required.

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

3. Install the Cinnamon Desktop: Install the Cinnamon desktop environment and its dependencies:

sudo dnf groupinstall “Cinnamon Desktop” -y

Also, consider installing the “X Window System” group to have the necessary Xorg components.

sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

4. Set the Default Graphical Target:

To ensure that the GUI starts when you boot your system, set the default target to graphical:

sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target

5. Reboot Your System: Reboot your system to apply the changes

sudo reboot

6. Login: After rebooting, you should be presented with the Cinnamon login screen. You may have the ability to select Cinnamon as the desktop environment on the login screen, if there are multiple Desktop environments installed.

Important Notes:

• Installing a full desktop environment on a server can increase the attack surface and consume additional system resources.  
• If you need a GUI for remote server management, consider using remote desktop solutions like VNC or X2Go, which might be more efficient.
• If you find any dependency issues, consult the AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux documentation for further troubleshooting.