How can I instruct yum to install a specific version of package X?
To see what particular versions are available to you via yum you can use the --showduplicates switch . It gives you a list like "package name.architecture version":
$ yum --showduplicates list httpd | expand
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, langpacks, refresh-packagekit
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
* fedora: mirror.steadfast.net
Available Packages
httpd.x86_64 2.4.6-6.fc20 fedora
httpd.x86_64 2.4.10-1.fc20 updates
As far as installing a particular version? You can append the version info to the name of the package, removing the architecture name, like so:
$ sudo yum install <package name>-<version info>
For example in this case if I wanted to install the older version, 2.4.6-6 I'd do the following:
$ sudo yum install httpd-2.4.6-6
You can also include the release info when specifying a package. In this case since I'm dealing with Fedora 20 (F20) the release info would be "fc20", and the architecture info too.
$ sudo yum install httpd-2.4.6-6.fc20
$ sudo yum install httpd-2.4.6-6.fc20.x86_64
repoquery
If you're ever unsure that you're constructing the arguments right you can consult with repoquery too.
$ sudo yum install yum-utils # (to get `repoquery`)
$ repoquery --show-duplicates httpd-2.4*
httpd-0:2.4.6-6.fc20.x86_64
httpd-0:2.4.10-1.fc20.x86_64
downloading & installing
You can also use one of the following options to download a particular RPM from the web, and then use yum to install it.
$ yum --downloadonly <package>
-or-
$ yumdownloader <package>
And then install it like so:
$ sudo yum localinstall <path to rpm>
What if I want to download everything that package X requires?
$ yumdownloader --resolve <package>
Example
$ yumdownloader --resolve vim-X11
Loaded plugins: langpacks, presto, refresh-packagekit
Adding en_US to language list
--> Running transaction check
---> Package vim-X11.x86_64 2:7.3.315-1.fc14 set to be reinstalled
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
vim-X11-7.3.315-1.fc14.x86_64.rpm | 1.1 MB 00:01
Notice it's doing a dependency check, and then downloading the missing pieces. See my answer that covers it in more details here: How to download a file from repo, and install it later w/o internet connection?.
References
- Get yum to install a specific package version
Another option, you can download rpm file then instruct yum to do a localinstall:
yum localinstall /path/to/package.rpm
A good place to get the packages you need is rpmfind.com and search the package name.