CentOS Alternatives: What Linux Distributions Are Taking Over?

Alternatives to CentOS include AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, and Oracle Linux. 1. AlmaLinux provides 10 years of support and is compatible with RHEL. 2. Rocky Linux is initiated by the founder of CentOS to ensure transparent development. 3. Oracle Linux provides stable performance and 10 years of support, the basic version is free.

introduction

In the Linux world, CentOS has always been a darling of enterprise-level users, but with the end of the life cycle of CentOS 8 and Red Hat announced that CentOS is no longer supported as a standalone distribution, many users are starting to look for alternatives. This article will reveal which Linux distributions are taking over CentOS, and provide in-depth insights and experience sharing to help you make informed choices. After reading, you will learn about the features, pros and cons of these alternatives and how to migrate to these new distributions.

Review of basic knowledge

A Linux distribution is a specific version of a Linux operating system that is usually maintained by an organization or community. Each distribution has its own unique package management system, update policy, and target user base. Ubuntu, for example, is known for its user-friendliness, while Debian is known for its stability and massive package library. Understanding these basic concepts helps us better evaluate alternatives to CentOS.

Core concept or function analysis

Why do I need to replace CentOS?

CentOS has always been the main force in server and enterprise environments, but with Red Hat's strategic adjustments, users have to find new solutions. The need to replace CentOS mainly comes from the following reasons:

• End of Lifecycle : The end of lifecycle of CentOS 8 forces users to find new long-term support options.
• Community Support : Many users want to find a distribution supported by an active community to ensure continuous updates and security patches.
• Compatibility : An alternative that is compatible with existing systems and applications is required.

Alternatives Overview

Let's see which Linux distributions are becoming popular alternatives to CentOS:

AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux is developed by CloudLinux and is committed to providing users with a 100% RHEL compatible distribution. Its features include:

• Long-term support : Provides 10 years of life cycle support.
• Community-driven : Powered by an active community to ensure fast security updates and bug fixes.

 # Install AlmaLinux
sudo dnf install epel-release
sudo dnf install almalinux-release

The advantage of AlmaLinux is its high compatibility with RHEL, which makes migration from CentOS relatively easy. But it should be noted that while AlmaLinux is powered by CloudLinux, its community may not be as mature as some of the more established distributions.

Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux was initiated by Gregory Kurtzer, co-founder of CentOS, with the goal of becoming a direct alternative to CentOS. Its features include:

• Compatible with RHEL : Fully compatible with RHEL, ensuring seamless migration.
• Community Engagement : Encourage community participation and ensure a transparent development process.

 # Install Rocky Linux
sudo dnf install epel-release
sudo dnf install rocky-release

Rocky Linux has the strengths of its founder’s background and commitment to transparency. However, due to its relatively new history, the size and resources of the community may not be as large as some more mature alternatives.

Oracle Linux

Oracle Linux is developed by Oracle and provides a stable enterprise-grade Linux distribution. Its features include:

• Long-term support : Provides 10 years of life cycle support.
• Free to use : The basic version is free to use, suitable for small businesses and individual users.

 # Install Oracle Linux
sudo yum install oraclelinux-release-el7
sudo yum install oraclelinux-release-el8

Oracle Linux has its stable performance and Oracle's strong support, but it should be noted that Oracle's business model may not be suitable for all users, especially those who want to avoid business dependencies.

Example of usage

Migrate from CentOS to alternative

Migrating to a new Linux distribution can be a complex task, but a smooth transition can be ensured with the following steps:

• Backup data : Make sure to back up all important data before migration.
• Evaluate Compatibility : Check the compatibility of existing applications and services to make sure they work properly on new distributions.
• Test environment : Deploy a new release in the test environment first to ensure that everything is normal before formal migration is carried out.

 # Backup data tar -czvf backup.tar.gz /path/to/data

# Evaluate compatibility yum list installed | grep -v "CentOS" > installed_packages.txt

During the migration process, you may encounter common problems such as package dependencies or configuration file incompatibility. The best way to solve these problems is to read the documentation for the new release carefully and seek help in the community forum.

Performance optimization and best practices

Here are some recommendations for performance optimization and best practices when selecting and using a new Linux distribution:

• Choose the right distribution : Choose the most suitable distribution based on your needs. For example, if you need long-term support, it might be more appropriate to choose AlmaLinux or Oracle Linux.
• Optimize system configuration : Adjust system configuration to improve performance, such as adjusting kernel parameters and optimizing network settings.

 # Optimize kernel parameters echo "net.core.somaxconn=1024" >> /etc/sysctl.conf
sysctl -p

# Optimize network settings echo "net.ipv4.tcp_max_syn_backlog=2048" >> /etc/sysctl.conf
sysctl -p

• Regular updates and maintenance : Regular updates to systems and software packages to ensure the security and stability of the system.

 # Update the system sudo dnf update

Through these practices, you can ensure that new Linux distributions not only replace CentOS, but also provide better performance and stability.

Summarize

With the end of the CentOS life cycle, distributions such as AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and Oracle Linux are becoming the choice for more and more users. Each distribution has its own unique strengths and challenges, and choosing the right alternative needs to be determined based on your specific needs and environment. I hope this article will provide you with valuable insights and guidance to help you successfully complete the migration from CentOS to new releases.

The above is the detailed content of CentOS Alternatives: What Linux Distributions Are Taking Over?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!