Rocky Linux is an open-source, enterprise-level operating system that is considered a downstream build of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was created in response to Red Hat's decision to shift the focus of CentOS, which was previously a downstream, free alternative to RHEL.
Background of CentOS and Red Hat
Originally, CentOS was an independent rebuild of RHEL, providing users with a free-to-use enterprise-class operating system that was binary-compatible with RHEL. It was widely used in production environments due to its stability and reliability.
Red Hat
Red Hat sponsors and supports CentOS, and it is the company behind RHEL. In late 2020, Red Hat announced a shift in strategy for CentOS. Instead of CentOS being a downstream, stable rebuild of RHEL (released after RHEL), it was repositioned to become CentOS Stream, which is a rolling-release distribution that sits between Fedora (Red Hat’s upstream community project) and RHEL.
The Answer: Rocky Linux
The shift in CentOS's strategy led to concerns in the community, especially among those who used CentOS for its stability and RHEL compatibility without the associated costs. Gregory Kurtzer, one of the original founders of CentOS, announced the creation of Rocky Linux in response to this change. The goal was to build an operating system that would provide a similar role to the original CentOS: a stable, enterprise-grade, community-supported distribution that is bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL.
Key Aspects of Rocky Linux:
- Enterprise Focus: Like CentOS, Rocky Linux is designed for enterprise use, offering a stable and secure environment suitable for production servers and applications.
- Compatibility: It aims to be fully compatible with RHEL, ensuring that users migrating from CentOS or RHEL can expect consistent performance and behavior.
- Community-Driven: Rocky Linux is a community-driven project, emphasizing transparency and open collaboration in its development process.
- Free to Use: It is available for free, making it an attractive option for organizations and individuals who require an enterprise-grade operating system without the costs associated with RHEL.
In summary, Rocky Linux emerged as a response to the changes in CentOS's development strategy, aiming to fill the gap left for a free, stable, and RHEL-compatible enterprise operating system. It represents the community's effort to maintain a consistent and reliable platform for those who relied on the traditional CentOS model.
Ready to Get Started?
Existing customers can easily switch to Rocky Linux through their control panel. Beware that switching will wipe the data of your server. New users can select the new image as their operating system during the setup process.
