What is CentOS Linux? Everything You Need to Know

CentOS Linux is a popular open-source operating system widely used for servers and other Desktop Computing. It is based on the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), making it a stable and secure option for businesses, developers, and IT professionals. CentOS stands for “Community Enterprise Operating System” and is known for its reliability, security, and long-term support. In this article, we will explore what is CentOS, its history, features, benefits, and why it is so widely used in the tech world.

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What is CentOS Linux?

CentOS stands for Community Enterprise Operating System. It is a free and open-source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). CentOS is designed to provide a stable and secure platform to run applications and services. It is often used in enterprise environments because it offers the same features as RHEL but without the cost of a subscription. CentOS is a Linux distribution, which means it is a version of the Linux operating system packaged with additional software and tools. Linux itself is an open-source operating system kernel that powers millions of devices around the world, from smartphones to supercomputers.

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History of CentOS

CentOS (Community Enterprise Operating System) was first released in 2004 as a free and open-source alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was designed to provide a stable and secure Linux distribution for servers and desktops using RHEL’s source code while removing its licensing costs. Over the years, CentOS has gained popularity among businesses, developers, and system administrators due to its reliability and long-term support. Major versions such as CentOS 5, 6, and 7 were widely used. However, in 2020, Red Hat announced that CentOS would move to CentOS Stream, a rolling-release system that gets updates before RHEL. This change disappointed many users, leading to the rise of alternative distributions such as AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux.

Features of CentOS Linux

CentOS Linux comes with various features that make it suitable for different types of users. Some of the key features include:

Stability and Reliability: CentOS is known for its stability, which is crucial for businesses and organizations that need to run critical applications without interruptions.

Security: Security is a top priority for CentOS. It includes built-in security features like SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux), which provides advanced access control and protection against threats.

Compatibility with RHEL: CentOS is binary-compatible with RHEL, meaning that software designed for RHEL can run on CentOS without any modifications. This makes it an attractive option for businesses that want to use RHEL but prefer a free alternative.

Long-Term Support: CentOS offers long-term support, with updates and security patches provided for up to 10 years. This ensures that systems remain secure and up-to-date over time.

Open Source: CentOS is completely open source, meaning that anyone can view, modify, and distribute its source code. This fosters collaboration and innovation within the community.

Wide Range of Software: CentOS comes with a vast repository of software packages that can be easily installed using the YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified) package manager. This makes it easy to set up and configure servers, databases, and other applications.

Scalability: CentOS is highly scalable, making it suitable for small businesses as well as large enterprises. It can handle everything from simple web servers to complex cloud infrastructures.

Different Versions of CentOS

CentOS has had several versions over the years, each based on different releases of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Here are the main versions of CentOS.

CentOS 4: The first widely used version, based on RHEL 4. It introduced many users to CentOS and was known for its stability.
CentOS 5: Based on RHEL 5, this version brought improvements in virtualization and support for newer hardware.
CentOS 6: Based on RHEL 6, it included better performance, enhanced security features, and improved file system support.
CentOS 7: Based on RHEL 7, this version introduced systemd for better service management, improved container support, and enhanced networking features.
CentOS 8: Based on RHEL 8, it brought new tools for application development, better cloud integration, and improved performance. However, CentOS 8’s lifecycle was shortened when CentOS shifted focus to CentOS Stream.
CentOS Stream: Unlike traditional CentOS versions, CentOS Stream is a rolling-release distribution that sits between Fedora and RHEL. It provides a preview of future RHEL releases and is continuously updated.

Uses of CentOS Linux

Web Hosting Servers: CentOS is commonly used by web hosting providers to run websites, blogs, and online applications. It supports popular web servers like Apache and Nginx, making it a great choice for hosting services.

Enterprise Applications: Many businesses use CentOS to run critical enterprise software, benefiting from its long-term support and stability.

Educational Purposes: CentOS is used in educational institutions for teaching Linux system administration and open-source software development.

Database Servers: CentOS is widely used to run database management systems like MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL.

Data Centers: CentOS is commonly used in data centers for virtualization, cloud computing, and managing large-scale infrastructure.

Development and Testing: Developers often use CentOS as a testing environment to ensure compatibility with RHEL before deploying applications in production.

Network and Security Appliances: Firewalls, routers, and other network devices use CentOS for security and performance.

Advantages of CentOS Linux

CentOS is completely free to download, use, and modify.
CentOS is built from RHEL source code, it inherits high stability and reliability.
CentOS provides long-term support with updates and security patches for nearly 10 years.
CentOS receives regular security updates from the RHEL community.
CentOS is designed for high-performance applications and enterprise workloads
CentOS is derived from RHEL, it is fully compatible with RHEL applications and software.
CentOS has minimal system requirements and consumes fewer resources compared to other OS.
CentOS comes with only the essential software and packages.

Disadvantages of CentOS Linux

CentOS receives updates much later than other Linux distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora.
CentOS is focused on stability, it does not always include the latest versions of software.
CentOS is not as easy to use as Ubuntu or Windows. It requires knowledge of Linux commands.
CentOS is based on RHEL, major changes in RHEL can affect CentOS users.
CentOS does not offer official customer support as RHEL.

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CentOS Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux

CentOS Linux is a free and open-source operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It offers the same features and stability as RHEL, but without official support from Red Hat. CentOS is widely used for servers and development environments because it is free and receives community-driven updates. However, since CentOS does not come with commercial support, users must rely on online forums and documentation to troubleshoot problems.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a commercial Linux distribution developed by Red Hat. It is designed for businesses and enterprises that require professional support, security patches, and long-term stability. RHEL users get access to official customer support, software certification, and security updates from Red Hat. Unlike CentOS, RHEL requires a paid subscription, making it the preferred choice for companies that need reliability and dedicated support.

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CentOS Linux vs CentOS Stream

CentOS Linux is a free, stable, and community-supported operating system based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It is designed for users who need a reliable and long-term supported OS for servers and production environments. CentOS Linux gets security updates and bug fixes but does not receive frequent software changes, making it a preferred choice for businesses that require a predictable and secure system. However, CentOS Linux was discontinued after version 8, meaning it will no longer get updates beyond its end-of-life period.

CentOS Stream is a rolling-release version that serves as a preview of the next RHEL version. It gets frequent updates and is used by developers and testers who want early access to upcoming features in RHEL before they are officially released. Unlike CentOS Linux, which follows the stable release cycle of RHEL, CentOS Stream is more dynamic and gets continuous updates. Although it is not as stable as CentOS Linux for production use, it is useful for testing and development environments where the latest software improvements are required.

Future of CentOS Linux

The future of CentOS Linux has changed significantly since Red Hat announced the shift from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream. CentOS Stream now serves as a testing ground for future Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) updates, making it less stable for enterprises that require long-term support. Because of this, many businesses and users have moved on to alternatives like AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, which provide a free and stable replacement for CentOS Linux. While CentOS Stream is still useful for developers who want to test upcoming RHEL features, it is no longer the best choice for production servers. The CentOS community is now divided, with some users staying with CentOS Stream and others moving to more stable alternatives.

Conclusion

CentOS Linux has been a trusted operating system for servers and enterprises for many years. Its stability, security, and compatibility with RHEL make it an excellent choice for businesses, developers, and IT professionals. However, with CentOS Stream replacing traditional CentOS, users must decide whether to continue with CentOS Stream or switch to alternatives like Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux. Despite its challenges, CentOS remains an important part of the Linux ecosystem.

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