CentOS – How to Enable EPEL Repository

It sounds like the remi repository's rpm's may include dependencies on packages in EPEL.

EPEL provides additional packages above and beyond the default set shipped in RHEL/CentOS but has a policy of not replacing shipped packages with newer versions. This is a focus on stability, with the idea that you shouldn't be using one of the RHEL-types of platforms if you really need that cutting edge package version.

The remi repository provides replacement rpms of the latest versions of many popular packages (Firefox, Thunderbird, php, etc). These rpms are in direct conflict with the shipped versions and you will receive zero support or security updates from Red Hat (in the case of RHEL) or the CentOS team for those packages. You're reliant on remi for making updates and patches for you.

If you absolutely need the latest version of php, you may want to look at a distro that ships more current packages (e.g. Fedora, Ubuntu). If you really value the stability/long term support of RHEL, then see if you can make do with the shipped versions. If you require the latest versions on CentOS, then the remi repository may indeed be a good resource.

when you want to go with the last versions, you should use fedora. centos/rhel is made for long time, stable use. there won't be the latest versions updates included, only updates for fixing bugs.