Introduction
CentOS, acronym of Community ENTerprise Operating System, has for years been one of the most popular Linux distributions for server environments and professional work. Based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) source code, it offers a stable, secure and free platform that allows companies and developers to take advantage of the power of a business-level operating system without incurring license costs.
History of CentOS
The project was born in 2004 when a group of developers decided to rebuild RHEL publicly, eliminating the proprietary components and providing updates under an open license. From its first versions, CentOS followed the launch cycle of RHEL, maintaining binary compatibility and providing security updates for ten years for each larger version.
In 2014, CentOS became the official project of the Red Hat community, which strengthened its position as the most reliable free alternative to RHEL. Over the next decade, it was widely used in web hosting, databases, containers and cloud computing environments.
Main characteristics
- Long-term stability: each version receives maintenance and safety support for approximately 10 years.
- Binary compatibility with RHEL: certified applications for Red Hat work without modification in CentOS.
- Package management with YUM and then DNF, facilitating software installation and updating.
- Security reinforced by default SELinux and timely patch updates.
- Extensive documentation and an active community that provides support in forums, mailing lists and IRC channels.
CentOS Stream vs CentOS Linux
In December 2020, Red Hat announced a strategic change: CentOS Linux, the traditional version that followed the point-to-point model, would have its life cycle shortened, while CentOS Stream would position itself as a continuous release (rolling release) distribution located between Fedora and RHEL. This transition generated debate in the community, as many users depended on the predictability of the specific versions of CentOS Linux.
CentOS Linux 8 came to its end in December 2021, and from then on it is recommended to migrate to CentOS Stream 8 or to alternatives like Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux, which seek to offer an experience identical to that of traditional RHEL.
Typical cases of use
- Application and web servers: site accommodation with Apache, Nginx or lighttpd.
- Databases: deployment of MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL and MongolDB in production environments.
- Container infrastructure: base for Docker, Kubernetes and OpenShift thanks to its RHEL compatibility.
- Virtualization environments: use as a host operating system for hypervisors such as KVM, Xen or VMware ESXi.
- Development and testing: platforms identical to those of production for developers working with certified software for Red Hat.
Future and alternatives
Although the traditional CentOS Linux path has changed, the ecosystem is still alive. Community projects such as Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux have taken over, promising to maintain binary compatibility with RHEL and provide long-term updates. In addition, CentOS Stream continues to receive updates and serves as an early window to the next features of RHEL, which makes it valuable for those who want to try innovations before its stable launch.
For organizations that prioritize predictability, migrate to one of RHEL's clone distributions or subscribe to Red Hat Enterprise Linux remains the safest option. In any case, the legacy of CentOS as a bridge between the community and the business world continues, influencing the way Linux operating systems are distributed and consumed today.
