How to Configure Your Linode Server for CloudLinux After Converting from CentOS May 10, 2025

This guide walks you through the correct steps to configure your Linode server to run CloudLinux after converting from CentOS.

Follow the steps:

Step 1: Complete the Conversion

1. Firstly, complete the conversion steps to convert from CentOS to CloudLinux.
2. At the end of the cldeploy process, you may encounter this message:
   “Please edit configuration of your Linode and select ‘GRUB’ in Boot Settings – Kernel”
3. We’ll take care of that in the next steps.

Step 2: Confirm GRUB is Installed
Verify that the appropriate version of GRUB is installed for your CloudLinux version:

• CloudLinux 6 – Uses GRUB Legacy

  rpm -qa | grep grub
  grubby-7.0.15-7.el6.x86_64
  grub-0.97-99.el6.x86_64

• CloudLinux 7 – Uses GRUB2

  rpm -qa | grep grub2
  grub2-tools, grub2-pc, grub2-common, etc.

• CloudLinux 8 – Look for grub2-pc and related packages

  rpm -qa | grep ^grub
  grub2-pc, grub2-tools, grubby, etc.

Step 3: Check GRUB Configuration Files
Ensure GRUB config files are present based on your CloudLinux version:

• CloudLinux 6:
  Config files should exist at /boot/grub/grub.conf and /boot/grub/menu.lst

  ll /boot/grub/menu.lst
  cat /boot/grub/grub.conf

• CloudLinux 7:
  Verify /boot/grub2/grub.cfg includes CloudLinux kernel entries

  grep “/boot/vmlinuz” /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

• CloudLinux 8:
  Check bootloader entries in /boot/loader/entries/

  ls /boot/loader/entries/
  cat /etc/machine-id

Step 4: Configure Boot Settings in Linode Dashboard

1. Go to your Linode Dashboard.
   Dashboard > Disks/Configs > Edit Configuration > Boot Settings
2. Select the appropriate kernel option based on your CloudLinux version:
   1. CloudLinux 6 > Select GRUB (Legacy)
   2. CloudLinux 7 & 8 > Select GRUB 2
3. Click Save once the changes are made.

Step 5: Reboot and Verify Kernel
Reboot your server and check the running kernel. You should see “lve” in the kernel version:

• CloudLinux 6

  uname -r
  2.6.32-954.3.5.lve1.4.78.el6.x86_64

• CloudLinux 7

  uname -r
  3.10.0-962.3.2.lve1.5.36.el7.x86_64

• CloudLinux 8

  uname -r
  4.18.0-147.8.1.el8.lve.x86_64

This way, you can configure your Linode Server for CloudLinux after converting from CentOS. If you require additional assistance, feel free to contact our support staff.

Want to manage features efficiently? Check How does CloudLinux’s “Options” tab function