How to Install MongoDB on CentOS 8

Introduction

MongoDB is a document-based NoSQL database application. Unlike MySQL, it allows data to be stored differently in different documents.

It allows for different fields in different documents, and the data structure is not permanently fixed.

In this tutorial, learn how to install MongoDB on CentOS 8.

Prerequisites

• A system running 64-bit CentOS 8 Linux
• User account with sudo or root privileges
• Access to a terminal window/command line

Installing MongoDB on CentOS 8

Step 1: Add the MongoDB Software Repository

By default, MongoDB is not available in the official CentOS repositories. To add the MongoDB repositories, open a terminal window, and create a MongoDB repository configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/yum.repos.d/mongodb-org-4.2.repo

In the newly created repo configuration file, enter the following:

[mongodb-org-4.2]

name=MongoDB Repository

baseurl=https://repo.mongodb.org/yum/redhat/$releasever/mongodb-org/4.2/x86_64/

gpgcheck=1

enabled=1

gpgkey=https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-4.2.asc

Save the file (Ctrl+o) and exit (Ctrl+x).

Step 2: Install MongoDB Software

Install MongoDB on CentOS 8 with the following command:

sudo yum install –y mongodb-org

Step 3: Start the MongoDB Service

Start the MongoDB service by entering the following command:

sudo systemctl start mongod

If you receive an error that the unit is not found, run the following command, then try the previous command again:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

If you’re using MongoDB as a permanent feature, you can set it to run at boot with the following command:

sudo systemctl enable mongod

To check whether the MongoDB service is running, use the following command:

sudo systemctl status mongod

Set Up and Configure MongoDB

Create MongoDB Admin User

Start by opening the Mongo shell for use. Enter the following command:

mongo

The prompt should change to a simple angle bracket.

>

Next, switch to the admin user account:

use admin

Next, create an administrator user account for the Mongo database:

db.createUser(
 {
 user: "mdbadmin",
 pwd: "password",
 roles: [ { role: "userAdminAnyDatabase", db: "admin" } ]
 }
 )

The system should respond with the following:

Next, display the list of users:

show users

The system should display details about the username just created:

Exit the Mongo shell by entering the following:

quit()

Remember, the alphanumeric userId will be different from this example.

Configure MongoDB Authentication

By default, any user can perform any function in MongoDB. This will require users to have proper credentials to perform actions.

Step 1: Turn on Authentication

Start by editing the following file:

sudo nano /lib/systemd/system/mongod.service

Find the following line:

Environment="OPTIONS=--f /etc/mongod.conf"

Add the --auth option as follows:

Environment="OPTIONS= --auth -f /etc/mongod.conf"

Save the file (Ctrl+o) and exit (Ctrl+x).

Step 2: Reload the Services to Apply Changes

Reload the mongod.service:

sudo systemctl ––system daemon-reload

sudo systemctl restart mongod

Step 3: Test Mongo User Authentication

Switch to the Mongo shell and use the admin user to list all users:

mongo

use admin

show users

An error message should display:

Next, use the following command to authenticate with the credentials created in Part 2:

db.auth(‘mdbadmin’, ‘password’)

The system should respond with the number 1:

1

Now, try running the show users command again:

show users

Replace mdbadmin and password with the actual username and password you created. The system should display the same user information as before in Part 2.

Conclusion

You should now have a working installation of MongoDB on your CentOS 8 system. Also, you should have a secure administrator account to prevent unauthorized access.

Next, learn how to create a database in MongoDB.