Post Date: March 27, 2019
Last Updated: October 12, 2026
Introduction
Anaconda is a popular open-source distribution for Python and R, widely used in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing. It simplifies package management and environment configuration by providing tools to install, manage, and run Python libraries and applications.
Installing Anaconda on a Linux server allows developers and data scientists to create isolated environments, manage dependencies, and run data processing or machine learning workloads efficiently.
In this tutorial, we will walk through the steps to download, install, configure, and verify Anaconda on a Linux server using the command line.
Prerequisites
- A Linux server with SSH access.
- A user account with appropriate installation permissions.
- An active internet connection.
- Sufficient disk space for Anaconda and its packages.
Note: CentOS 6 and CentOS 7 are no longer supported. For a new installation, use a currently supported Linux distribution and an Anaconda installer compatible with your system.
Installation flowchart
Step-by-Step Installation Procedure
Step 1: Connect to the Linux Server
Log in to your server using SSH.
ssh username@server_ip
Replace username and server_ip with your actual server credentials and IP address.
Step 2: Create an Installation Directory
Create a directory under /root to store the downloaded installer.
mkdir -p /root/anac cd /root/anac
Step 3: Download the Anaconda Installer
Visit the official Anaconda distribution page:
Select the Linux installer that matches your system architecture and preferred installation method.
Alternatively, download the appropriate installer directly from the official Anaconda distribution repository. Use the current installer filename provided by the official source.
Step 4: Verify the Downloaded Installer
List the downloaded files:
ls -lh
If the official source provides a SHA-256 checksum, verify the installer before executing it:
sha256sum Anaconda3-*.sh
Compare the output with the checksum published by the official source.
Step 5: Run the Installer
Execute the downloaded shell installer. Replace the filename with the actual installer name.
bash Anaconda3-<version>-Linux-x86_64.sh
Follow the installation prompts:
- Review the license agreement.
- Accept the terms if you agree.
- Select the installation directory.
- Complete the installation.
Avoid running the installer as root unless a system-wide installation is specifically required. For a personal installation, use your regular Linux user account.
Step 6: Initialize Anaconda
After installation, initialize Conda for your shell:
source ~/anaconda3/bin/activate conda init bash
Reload your shell configuration:
source ~/.bashrc
If you installed Anaconda in a different directory, adjust the path accordingly.
Step 7: Verify the Installation
Check the installed Conda version:
conda --version
Check the Python version:
python --version
Display the Conda environments:
conda env list
If these commands execute successfully, Anaconda is installed and ready to use.
Step 8: Create a Separate Python Environment
Create an isolated environment for your project:
conda create -n myproject python=3.12
Activate the environment:
conda activate myproject
Verify Python:
python --version
You can now install project dependencies and run Python applications within this environment.
Conclusion
Anaconda provides a convenient way to install Python, manage dependencies, and maintain isolated environments on Linux servers. By following this guide, you can install Anaconda, verify its configuration, and create a dedicated environment for your data science or machine learning projects.
For production servers, use a supported operating system, download installers only from trusted official sources, and keep project dependencies isolated. These practices help improve reliability, security, and maintainability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Anaconda used for?
Anaconda is used to manage Python and R packages and environments for data science, machine learning, scientific computing, and application development.
2. Can I install Anaconda on a Linux server without a graphical interface?
Yes. Anaconda can be installed through SSH using its command-line shell installer, so a graphical desktop is not required.
3. What is the difference between Anaconda and Conda?
Anaconda is a distribution that includes Python or R tools and packages. Conda is the package and environment manager used to install packages and create isolated environments.
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