How to install EPEL repository on CentOS 6, 7?

This tutorial explains how to install the EPEL repository on CentOS 6, 7 systems.

Q: Why should you install the EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) repository?

A: Installing the EPEL repository on your system will enable you to install additional packages.

1. Firstly, list the currently installed repositories by running the following command:

Command: sudo yum repolist

Output:

Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
* base: mirror.yellowfiber.net
* extras: mirror.yellowfiber.net
* updates: mirror.yellowfiber.net
repo id repo name status
base/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 – Base 9.363
extras/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 – Extras 266
updates/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 – Updates 1.086
repolist: 10.715

2. Install the EPEL repository by running the following command:

Command: sudo yum install epel-release -y

Once again, list the currently installed repositories again and compare by running the following command:

Command: sudo yum repolist

Output:

Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
* base: mirror.yellowfiber.net
* epel: ftp.osuosl.org
* extras: mirror.yellowfiber.net
* updates: mirror.yellowfiber.net
repo id repo name status
base/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 – Base 9.363
epel/x86_64 Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux 7 – x86_64 11.292
extras/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 – Extras 266
updates/7/x86_64 CentOS-7 – Updates 1.086
repolist: 22.007

3. Uninstall the EPEL repository by running the following command:

sudo yum remove epel-release