Using DNF Module Streams in AlmaLinux to Install Specific Package Versions

Using DNF Module Streams in AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux includes DNF modularity, which lets you install different versions of the same package from separate module streams. This guide shows how to enable a stream, install the package, verify the version, and revert to the default.

Example: Installing Node.js 14 from the nodejs module

1. List available streams for the module:

dnf module list nodejs

2. Enable the desired stream (here 14):

sudo dnf module enable nodejs:14

3. Install the module:

sudo dnf install nodejs

4. Verify the installed version matches the stream:

rpm -q nodejs

Switching to a different stream

To change from one stream to another, disable the current stream, enable the target, and reinstall:

sudo dnf module reset nodejs
sudo dnf module enable nodejs:16
sudo dnf install nodejs

After switching, run sudo dnf distro-sync to remove obsolete packages from the previous stream.

Limits and common pitfalls

• Only packages that have been modularized in the upstream RHEL source appear as streams; many traditional packages are not available this way.
• Streams of interdependent modules (for example, a module that depends on a specific version of another module) can cause dependency conflicts if you enable incompatible streams.
• Manually editing files in /etc/dnf/modules.d/ without a backup can introduce syntax errors that break DNF operations.
• Failing to run dnf module reset before enabling a new stream may leave the old stream enabled, leading to unexpected package versions.

Verification and rollback

Check which streams are enabled:

dnf module list --enabled

Look for the [e] marker next to the stream name.

To revert to the default stream:

sudo dnf module reset nodejs
sudo dnf distro-sync

After the reset, confirm the default stream is active with dnf module list nodejs and reinstall the package if needed.