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In December 2020, Red Hat announced the early end of support for CentOS 8, set for December 31, 2021, surprising the entire community. This decision marked a significant change in Red Hat's strategy, leading to the transition to CentOS Stream, a continuously updated development version. This change caused concern among users, who had chosen CentOS for its stability and similarity to RHEL, leading to heated discussions about the future of open-source alternatives in the enterprise operating system landscape.
What is CentOS
CentOS, short for Community Enterprise Operating System, is an enterprise-class Linux distribution derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) sources. The first version of CentOS was released on May 14, 2004. This operating system has been praised for its stability and compatibility with RHEL, becoming a popular choice for server and production environments.
What is Linux and how did it come about?
Linux was born in 1991 thanks to Linus Torvalds, who developed a free kernel inspired by Unix. This open source project quickly gained popularity for its flexibility, stability and active community. Its modular architecture and ability to run on different hardware made it ideal for use in servers. The absence of licensing fees and strong community support have further solidified its position in the server market, where it has become a preferred choice for many system administrators and companies seeking reliable and customizable solutions.
The end of support for CentOS 7
Today, June 30, 2024, support for CentOS 7, one of the most popular versions and still used on almost 26 percent of web servers, ends. I have always appreciated RHEL-based distributions for their stability, and my favorite has been CentOS 7 itself. No operating system has ever given me so much security and so few problems.
In the server area, I prefer CentOS, while for the desktop I have always chosen distributions derived from Debian, such as Ubuntu. However, the latter, being derived from the "unstable" branch, are not stable enough for use on servers. For this reason, CentOS Stream cannot be a viable replacement for CentOS, and the same goes for RHEL, due to licensing costs that are too high for use on web servers. However, the community has presented viable alternatives, of which my current favorite is AlmaLinux, although I am less familiar with Rocky Linux and Oracle Enterprise Linux.
I cannot say today which is the best alternative. Certainly a web server can also be built with Debian-derived versions, such as Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which I currently use on some cloud-based VPS and which has not given me any particular problems.
My preference for RHEL-based distributions is perhaps due to habit and knowledge gained from years of use. I entered the Linux world precisely with such distributions, including SuSe Linux and Fedora, mainly in the server environment. For the desktop, due to issues of program compatibility, I was never able to abandon Windows as the main system.
Unfortunately, CentOS is leaving us. This is not the first time that open source projects undergo changes; sometimes, these lead to significant improvements thanks to the community and forks of the original projects.
Why Linux as a Web Server?
Linux is highly regarded in the server environment for its stability, security and flexibility. It is open source, which allows administrators to customize it according to their needs, and it supports a wide variety of hardware. It also offers excellent permission management and frequent security updates. Linux's main competitors in the server sector include Windows Server, known for its integration with Microsoft services, and Unix, prized for its robustness and reliability in complex enterprise environments. Among Unix-like operating systems, BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) systems such as FreeBSD and OpenBSD are renowned for advanced security and permissive licensing, making them popular choices in specific server contexts.
What are the main uses of Linux?
Linux is widely used in various fields, including scientific research and supercomputers. Its stability and flexibility make it ideal for complex environments that require high performance and customization. In supercomputers, Linux dominates, powering nearly every system in the TOP500 ranking, due to its ability to handle intensive workloads and ease of adaptation to specific needs. Even in research centers, Linux is preferred for its security and wide range of available tools, facilitating scientific and technological advances.
Linux is used in a variety of areas, including:
- Web server: For managing Web sites and online applications.
- Supercomputer: Dominant in scientific research because of its ability to handle complex calculations.
- Cloud Infrastructure: Used in data centers and cloud services for its scalability.
- Software Development: Preferred by developers for its flexibility and support of open source tools.
- Embedded Devices: Employed in IoT devices and embedded systems for its light weight and customization.
- Desktop: Chosen by users for its security and extensive interface customization.
What are the main Linux distributions in the Web Server field?
The main Linux distributions used in the web server field are:
- Ubuntu Server: Known for ease of use and LTS support.
- CentOS: Popular for stability, although support has ended.
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL): Chosen for commercial support and security.
- Debian: Prized for stability and wide availability of packages.
- Rocky Linux: Successor to CentOS, focused on compatibility with RHEL.
- AlmaLinux: Another alternative to CentOS, supported by the community.
What are the alternatives to CentOS
AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and Oracle Enterprise Linux are emerging alternatives in the enterprise Linux distribution landscape. AlmaLinux, developed as a community project, offers a smooth transition for CentOS users, ensuring compatibility with RHEL. Rocky Linux, founded by one of the co-creators of CentOS, focuses on continuity and stability, promising a reliable system maintained by the community. Oracle Enterprise Linux, on the other hand, is backed by Oracle and offers integrations with its products while maintaining a high degree of compatibility with RHEL, making it an attractive choice for complex enterprise environments.
AlmaLinux as an alternative to CentOS
AlmaLinux was launched by CloudLinux Inc. also in 2020, with the goal of offering an open source distribution compatible with RHEL, after the announcement of the end of support for CentOS Linux.
| Version | Release Date | End of active support | End of security support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | 30/03/2021 | 01/05/2024 | 01/03/2029 |
| 9.0 | 26/05/2022 | 31/05/2027 | 31/05/2032 |
| 8.8 | 12/05/2023 | 01/05/2024 | 01/03/2029 |
| 9.4 | 14/11/2023 | 31/05/2027 | 31/05/2032 |
These dates are updated to 2024 and show AlmaLinux's commitment to providing long-term support for its versions, similar to the lifecycle of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It is currently my favorite, but only because it was the first one I tried as an alternative.
Rocky Linux, a very good RHEL
Rocky Linux was started by Gregory Kurtzer, one of the original founders of CentOS, in December 2020 as a response to the end of support for CentOS Linux.
| Version | Release Date | End of active support | End of security support |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | 01/05/2021 | 31/05/2024 | 31/05/2029 |
| 9.0 | 14/07/2022 | 31/05/2027 | 31/05/2032 |
Many prefer Rocky Linux because of its close continuity with CentOS, since it was started by one of its co-founders. However, AlmaLinux is just as good, with strong community support and quick response to updates. Both distributions offer stability and compatibility with RHEL, so the choice often depends on personal preference and project-specific needs.
What is the best free Linux server?
The best free Linux server is often considered Ubuntu Server for its ease of use, broad community support and robustness. It is ideal for various types of server deployments, with regular updates and long LTS support.
| Version | Release Date | End of LTS support |
|---|---|---|
| 20.04 LTS | 23/04/2020 | 23/04/2025 |
| 22.04 LTS | 21/04/2022 | 21/04/2027 |
| 24.04 LTS (planned) | 04/2024 | 04/2029 |
What is a Fork?
A fork of an open source project is a copy of the original source code that is independently modified and developed. This process occurs when developers or communities wish to implement new features, fix bugs, or change the direction of the original project. An example of this is ThirtyBees, a fork born out of the PrestaShop 1.6 community, which disagreed with the migration to the Symfony framework. ThirtyBees focused on stability and performance while retaining features loved by users.
Forks are essential in the open source ecosystem, as they allow software to evolve, fostering diversity and innovation. A famous example of a fork is LibreOffice, which grew out of OpenOffice and continued development with a greater focus on community and user-requested features.
These parallel projects can sometimes surpass the original in popularity or functionality, providing new opportunities for users and contributing to the overall advancement of technology.
Conclusion
Today, with the end of support for CentOS, an important chapter in the Linux server world comes to a close. CentOS has been a mainstay for the community because of its stability and compatibility with RHEL. Although alternatives such as AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux offer new opportunities, the transition is not without challenges. Ubuntu Server remains a solid choice for those seeking a free and supported option, but my preference for RHEL-based distributions is rooted in experience and habits gained over time.
Saying goodbye to CentOS is a time of reflection and change, but also of new possibilities.
Author: Loris Modena
SENIOR DEVELOPER
Per Ind Loris Modena owner of Arte e Informatica, began working in the computer industry in 1989 as a systems engineer in charge of maintenance and installation of computer systems. He starts programming for the web in 1997 dealing with CGI programming in PERL and later moving to programming in PHP and JavaScript. During this period he approaches the Open source world and Linux server management.