In the technology circles, specifically around the 8th of December, you may have noticed a distinct aura of despair, peppered with cries of despair echoing “Why? Why?! WHY?!” Though 2020 had its fair share of low points, this particular outburst stemmed from a significant upset in the IT community—the unfortunate downfall of CentOS. For those not entrenched in tech jargon, here’s a brief explanation: CentOS is a widely-adopted Linux-based operating system frequently deployed on servers. Up until recently, many businesses relied on it for their server needs. However, owing to a decisive shift, this is no longer the case.
Previously, CentOS prided itself on its stable and thoroughly vetted releases, the most recent being CentOS 8, which launched in September 2019 with a ten-year support promise. Contrary to this, the strategy has now shifted towards a rolling-release model, where a single, continuously updated version will be the norm. While on the surface this appears innovative, it compromises overall stability, relegating CentOS to the role of a testing platform for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and stripping it of its independent operating system status. For those operating CentOS-based servers, a timely transition to an alternative OS is advisable. Personally, I had just perfected my CentOS-based VPS setup before these changes were announced.
The Red Hat-CentOS Connection
Diving into the history, Red Hat is a software company that already boasts two distinctive Linux distributions—a free, community-driven Fedora, and the enterprise-targeted, premium Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Interestingly, RHEL’s expensive offerings are mostly comprised of open-source components, making them available for anyone to utilize. Back in 2004, some clever individuals crafted a near-replica enterprise-level server OS from RHEL’s open-source elements, birthing the Community Enterprise Operating System, or CentOS.
In 2014, Red Hat reached out to establish a partnership with the CentOS community, with an underlying message of symbiotic enhancement for both parties’ products, especially as Red Hat’s revenue was largely derived from enterprise clientele. This union promised Red Hat’s support and an opportunity for CentOS to thrive in new areas. Yet, as the story unfolds, 2020 brought about a reevaluation from Red Hat, leading to a significant alteration in CentOS’s operational approach—largely negating the presumed stability of the server platform.
Exploring CentOS Substitutes
If you were an early adopter of CentOS 8, it’s time to consider what to load onto your servers. Fortunately, choices abound.
Debian / Ubuntu
Those willing to switch to a different Linux flavor might find refuge in Debian, renowned for its stability and welcoming nature for system administrators. For more regular updates, the Debian-based Ubuntu Server is another popular and competent alternative.
Oracle Linux
The well-known Oracle offers its own RHEL-compatible distribution. It’s not just a clone but a product designed to harmonize with Oracle’s suite of tools—convenient if you’re an Oracle aficionado, with the noteworthy perk of being freely available.
ClearOS
ClearOS is an RHEL-compatible OS carving its niche, possibly in collaboration with Hewlett-Packard. They cater to both free community needs and paid offerings for home/business use.
CloudLinux’s RHEL Fork
Developers of CloudLinuxOS are crafting a forthcoming RHEL-based system, replete with handy features such as the capability for updating servers without rebooting. This initiative seeks to provide a seamless substitute for CentOS 8 users.
Rocky Linux
The original CentOS community, notably miffed, is back at the drawing board courtesy of CentOS co-founder Greg Kurtzer with Rocky Linux. The aim is a RHEL rebuild that could effortlessly replace CentOS. While the initial release date is tentative, the community’s dedication is evident—and I’ve even joined the Rocky Linux documentation team as a testament to this commitment.
There Are Still Viable Options
These alternatives are either currently available or soon to be released. Although CentOS 8 support will persist until the end of 2021, with CentOS 7 oddly supported until June 2024, transitioning should be managed relatively easily. This change forces an unwelcome inconvenience, but it’s a solvable one for those affected.
