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Why Switch From CentOS Following Its Switch To CentOS Stream

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The change in popularity of open-source operating systems, particularly in the wake of Red Hat's decision to shift CentOS to an upstream provider (CentOS Stream), has been significant. This decision fundamentally altered the landscape of enterprise Linux distributions and led to the rise of alternative distributions such as AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. Here's a closer look at the changes in popularity, the rationale behind them, and why people should consider switching to distributions like AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux.

The Shift in CentOS's Role and Its Impact

Historically, CentOS (Community ENTerprise Operating System) was a free and open-source distribution that closely mirrored Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), providing a stable, production-ready platform for users who needed enterprise-level features without the cost of RHEL's commercial support. Many businesses, hosting providers, and developers relied on CentOS for its stability and compatibility with RHEL, especially in production environments where software stability and long-term support were critical.

However, in December 2020, Red Hat announced a significant change to CentOS's role: CentOS would no longer be a direct downstream rebuild of RHEL. Instead, it would be rebranded as CentOS Stream, which is positioned as a rolling-release distribution that sits between Fedora (a community-driven, cutting-edge distribution) and RHEL (the enterprise version). CentOS Stream became a preview of what would eventually be included in RHEL, making it less stable and more volatile compared to the previous CentOS model.

The Response to Red Hat’s Change

Red Hat’s decision to shift CentOS to CentOS Stream was met with backlash from a significant portion of the community, especially from enterprises and developers who had relied on CentOS for its stability and RHEL compatibility. Many in the open-source community expressed concerns that CentOS Stream would not be suitable for production environments where stability and long-term support were crucial.

As a result, several organizations and community members started looking for alternatives to CentOS, leading to the creation of new distributions designed to fill the gap. These alternatives aimed to provide a stable, RHEL-compatible experience without the "rolling release" nature of CentOS Stream.

The Rise of AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux

In response to the change in CentOS, two major alternatives emerged as the most notable successors:

  1. AlmaLinux

    • Background: AlmaLinux was created by CloudLinux, a company known for its work with enterprise Linux servers. CloudLinux promised to continue offering a free, open-source RHEL-compatible distribution, aiming to fill the void left by CentOS's shift to CentOS Stream. AlmaLinux is designed to be binary-compatible with RHEL, ensuring that users can migrate seamlessly from CentOS to AlmaLinux without compatibility issues.
    • Key Features:
      • Fully RHEL-compatible.
      • Long-term support (LTS) with regular security updates.
      • Free and open-source.
      • Backed by CloudLinux’s enterprise experience, providing extra stability for businesses.
    • Popularity: AlmaLinux quickly gained traction due to its backing from CloudLinux, its close alignment with RHEL, and its strong focus on long-term stability.

  2. Rocky Linux

    • Background: Rocky Linux was founded by Gregory Kurtzer, one of the original creators of CentOS. Rocky Linux’s goal was to provide a community-driven, RHEL-compatible distribution that would continue the spirit of CentOS as a downstream rebuild of RHEL, with a focus on stability and reliability.
    • Key Features:
      • Full binary compatibility with RHEL.
      • Community-driven and nonprofit, with a focus on openness and transparency.
      • Long-term support and stability, making it ideal for production environments.
    • Popularity: Rocky Linux quickly attracted a strong community, particularly due to its connection to the original CentOS team and its focus on maintaining the stability CentOS users valued.

Why Switch to AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux?

Given the changes in CentOS, AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux have become the go-to choices for many who seek an alternative. Here’s why people should consider switching to these distributions:

  1. Stability and Reliability:

    • Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are designed to provide RHEL compatibility without the rolling-release model of CentOS Stream. This means they offer stable, production-ready environments ideal for enterprise use, hosting, and mission-critical applications.
    • Organizations that need long-term support and a stable OS for their infrastructure benefit from the continuity these distributions offer.

  2. Free and Open-Source:

    • Just like CentOS, both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are free and open-source. They provide the same enterprise-grade features as RHEL without the associated costs of a subscription, making them an excellent choice for businesses with tight budgets.
    • This openness also ensures that users can fully audit, customize, and contribute to the distributions.

  3. Seamless Migration from CentOS:

    • Both distributions are designed to be binary-compatible with RHEL, ensuring that software and applications that ran on CentOS will work seamlessly on AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux.
    • The migration path from CentOS to either AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux is straightforward, with tools and resources available to make the transition as smooth as possible.

  4. Community-Driven Development:

    • Rocky Linux is a community-driven project, offering transparency and a strong emphasis on collaboration. It benefits from the contributions of the same people who helped build CentOS, ensuring that it stays aligned with the needs of its user base.
    • AlmaLinux, while backed by CloudLinux, also embraces community input and contributions, making it a robust choice for those seeking a free RHEL alternative supported by a company with a strong track record in the Linux space.

  5. Long-Term Support:

    • Both distributions provide long-term support (LTS), ensuring that users receive updates and patches over the course of many years, just like RHEL. This is a crucial factor for enterprises that need reliable, secure platforms for their systems without frequent disruptions.

  6. Enterprise-Ready:

    • Both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are suitable for enterprise environments where uptime, security, and reliability are paramount. With RHEL compatibility, they can run the same enterprise software and applications, but at no cost for the operating system itself.

  7. Growing Ecosystem:

    • As both distributions continue to grow, they’re gaining wider support within the enterprise Linux ecosystem, with many hosting providers and developers ensuring compatibility with AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. As a result, businesses and developers can confidently use these distributions knowing they are supported by the broader open-source community and ecosystem.

Conclusion

The shift of CentOS to CentOS Stream significantly impacted the Linux ecosystem, particularly for users who depended on CentOS as a stable, RHEL-compatible platform. However, the rise of AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux has provided a much-needed alternative for those seeking a stable, long-term, free RHEL clone. These distributions offer a smooth migration path, strong community support, and enterprise-grade stability. Whether you're running servers, hosting environments, or mission-critical applications, switching to AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux ensures a stable and reliable platform that maintains the open-source principles of CentOS while filling the gap left by its change in direction.

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