CentOS 7

CentOS, which stands for Community ENTerprise Operating System, is a Linux distribution that provides a free, enterprise-class, community-supported computing platform functionally compatible with its upstream source, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). For many years, CentOS was a downstream version of RHEL, but CentOS did not require a paid subscription. This made it a popular choice for enterprise users looking for a stable, scalable, and secure operating system for their servers and workstations.

CentOS 7 is a significant version of the CentOS operating system, introduced in July 2014. It includes many new features and updates compared to its predecessors. CentOS 7 updates include enhanced system and service management capabilities with systemd, improved file system support, better container support, and extensive updates to networking and security. This version is known for its stability and long-term support, making it a preferred CentOS update for many enterprises.

CentOS is often considered the free alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). While both CentOS and RHEL share the same source code, the key difference lies in their support and pricing structure. CentOS does not come with the commercial support and certification that Red Hat offers, making RHEL a suitable CentOS replacement for organizations requiring dedicated support for their business-critical operations. However, for users comfortable with self-support or community support, CentOS serves as an excellent RHEL alternative.

The end of stable CentOS was announced in December 2020 when IBM and Red Hat decided to shift focus from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream. CentOS Stream is positioned as a rolling preview of what will be in the next minor release of RHEL. This shift marked the end of CentOS Linux as a stable, predictable base, mirroring RHEL releases, and moving towards a slightly upstream role relative to RHEL. This change was intended to provide a platform for developers and contributors to influence future Red Hat products, but it also meant the end of CentOS as an enterprise-stable OS, directly mirroring RHEL, which led many users to seek CentOS alternatives.

CentOS 7 is scheduled to receive full updates until June 2024 and maintenance updates until June 30, 2024. As this end of life approaches, users should plan their migration strategies to other platforms to ensure continued security and support. Considering a CentOS replacement or an update strategy ahead of time will help mitigate risks associated with running unsupported software.

With the shift in direction for CentOS, many users are considering a CentOS replacement. Transitioning from CentOS, especially for enterprises that rely heavily on stability and extensive testing, involves evaluating potential replacements that offer long-term support, stability, and compatibility with existing software.

Switching to a different distribution is not simply installing a different operating system. It affects your existing tools, has a potential impact on your automation workflow, and as such, some options are better than others, in that they have smaller differences from CentOS than others. This means that finding a similar operating system can minimize the learning curve and integration issues, making the transition smoother.

Ubuntu LTS, Oracle Linux, and AlmaLinux are popular choices among those seeking a CentOS alternative, each providing varying degrees of compatibility and support. These distributions ensure that changes in the operational environment are minimal, thereby preserving the efficiency and predictability of your system management practices.

When looking for CentOS alternatives or RHEL alternatives, several options come to mind. These include Ubuntu, which is known for its ease of use and extensive community support; Debian, noted for its stability and volunteer-based maintenance; and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, which offers strong administrative tools and enterprise-level support. Many enterprise users are also migrating from CentOS 7 to AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, which are both free enterprise distributions both commonly considered as the “new CentOS.” Each alternative offers different strengths, making them suitable for various server applications and user preferences.