Deb files are used to install packages in Debian-based distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, and Mint. However, sometimes the package you need only comes in RPM format. If this is the case, you can install an RPM package on Ubuntu using the Alien program. This program allows you to convert an RPM file to a deb file or it can install an RPM file directly to your Ubuntu machine.

Here at Ibmi Media, we shall look into how to install RPM on Ubuntu OS. 

You can visit this post to Install RPM Packages on CentOS 8: https://linuxapt.com/blog/265-install-rpm-packages-on-centos-8

Different ways of Installing RPM on Ubuntu

RPM is a file extension that is used to install packages in RHEL, CentOS, and Fedora. You can install an RPM file on Ubuntu using the Alien package converter. Through Alien, you can either convert an RPM file to a deb file and install it using the default package manager. Or you can install an RPM package directly to your Ubuntu OS.

a. Converting and Installing RPM on Ubuntu

Here, we will first convert the RPM file to a deb file through the Alien package converter. Then we will install this deb package using the Apt package manager.

1. Download RPM Package

Download the RPM package that you want to install on Ubuntu system. For demonstration, we will be installing the Skype RPM package on Ubuntu.

We have downloaded the Skype RPM package from its official website through the following command:

$ wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.rpm

2. Install Alien Package Converter

Now install alien package converter using the following command:

$ sudo apt install alien

It may ask for your approval for the operation. Hit y to continue.

This will install the Alien package converter on your system.

3. Convert RPM file to Deb

Now that Alien has been installed, you can use it to convert an RPM file to a deb file. Run the command below to convert the RPM file to deb:

$ sudo alien <RPM_Package_Name>

For the Skype RPM package, we have used the following command:

$ sudo alien skypeforlinux-64.rpm

This command will convert the specified RPM file into a deb file.

4. Install converted Deb file

Now in order to install the converted deb file, run the following command:

$ sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux_8.82.0.403-2_amd64.deb

This command will install the deb file on your system.

b. Directly Installing RPM on Ubuntu

Here, we will directly install RPM file on Ubuntu using the Alien package converter.

1. Download RPM Package

Download the RPM file that you want to install on your Ubuntu machine. For demonstration, we will be installing the Skype RPM package on Ubuntu.

We have downloaded the Skype RPM file from its official website through the following command:

$ wget https://repo.skype.com/latest/skypeforlinux-64.rpm

2. Install Alien Package Converter

Install alien package converter using the following command:

$ sudo apt install alien

It may ask for your approval for the operation. Hit y to continue.

This will install the Alien package converter on your system.

3. Install RPM file

Through Alien converter, you can directly install the RPM file without converting it to a deb file. Run the command below to install the RPM file using the Alien package converter:

$ sudo alien --install <RPM_Package_Name>

For the Skype RPM package, we have used the following command:

$ sudo alien --install skypeforlinux-64.rpm

This command will install the RPM file on your Ubuntu system.

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