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Rocky Linux 8 vs CentOS Stream 8 vs RHEL 8 vs Oracle Linux 8 vs AlmaLinux 8

Rocky Linux 8 vs CentOS Stream 8 vs RHEL 8 vs Oracle Linux 8 vs AlmaLinux 8

In the rapidly evolving world of Linux distributions, it’s essential for developers, system administrators, and businesses to stay updated on the differences and unique features each one offers. With the recent shift in CentOS’s development strategy, a new landscape has emerged, making it even more critical to understand your options.

Why do we have such a variety?” you may wonder. The reason is that various distributions are designed to meet distinct requirements and preferences. They might emphasize stability, cutting-edge features, user-friendliness, or specific applications. Think of them like flavors of ice cream; there’s something for everyone! So let’s check out the five prominent Linux distributions:

  • Rocky Linux 8
  • CentOS Stream 8
  • RHEL 8
  • Oracle Linux 8
  • AlmaLinux 8

and see which one is most suitable for you.

Overview of Rocky Linux 8

Rocky Linux is a community-developed, open-source operating system explicitly crafted to offer a resilient, dependable, and secure foundation for production systems. It is a downstream, free, open-source alternative to CentOS, aiming to provide a high-quality enterprise-level operating system that is 100% bug-for-bug compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).

Key Features

  1. Compatibility: As a downstream build of RHEL, Rocky Linux 8 ensures compatibility with RHEL updates and patches. It allows for seamless migration of projects and software.
  2. Community-Driven: The development of Rocky Linux is largely community-driven, fostering an environment of collaboration and transparency. This implies that users have the opportunity to influence the future development and trajectory of the software.
  3. Stability and Security: With its exceptional stability and robust security measures, Rocky Linux 8 emerges as an ideal selection for production environments. It is designed to be a reliable platform for applications, databases, and infrastructure.
  4. Long-Term Support: Rocky Linux offers long-term support, crucial for enterprise-grade projects and applications requiring a stable, long-lived base.
  5. Software Ecosystem: It comes with a rich software ecosystem, offering a comprehensive set of open-source tools and libraries. It uses the YUM/DNF package manager and supports RPM software packages.

Overview of CentOS Stream 8

CentOS Stream is an open-source, community-supported Linux distribution that is a midstream between Fedora Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It serves as a rolling release distro where users can experience the future of RHEL development.

Key Features

  1. Rolling Release Model: Unlike its predecessor CentOS Linux, CentOS Stream updates more frequently. This allows for early discovery and rectification of bugs and issues and provides users with the latest features and improvements.
  2. Closer to Fedora and RHEL: CentOS Stream sits in the middle of the Fedora and RHEL ecosystem. It offers a platform for the community to influence the future of RHEL while being more stable than Fedora.
  3. Community Influence on RHEL: CentOS Stream provides a unique opportunity for developers and users to contribute to the features that will eventually make their way into RHEL, hence directly influencing the future of enterprise Linux.
  4. Compatibility: CentOS Stream maintains compatibility with RHEL, which makes it easy for developers to build and test their applications.

Overview of RHEL 8

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 8 is an open-source operating system developed and supported by Red Hat. It is designed to provide enterprises with a secure, stable, high-performance platform for mission-critical applications.

Key Features

  1. Stability and Security: RHEL 8 is designed for high-level enterprise use, offering robust stability and top-tier security features. These include system-wide cryptographic policies, improved system auditing, and automated security compliance through the OpenSCAP integrated tool.
  2. Performance: RHEL 8 optimizes performance for modern workloads through features like application streams, which allow developers to work with the latest stable versions of languages and frameworks.
  3. Innovative Management Tools: RHEL 8 includes the web console (Cockpit) by default, simplifying system management tasks. Additionally, it incorporates Red Hat Insights, a proactive IT analytics service that detects potential issues and addresses them before they escalate into significant problems.
  4. Compatibility and Interoperability: It provides a consistent foundation across hybrid cloud deployments, with built-in manageability and integration with the wider Red Hat management and automation portfolio.
  5. Software Ecosystem: RHEL 8 uses the YUM package manager based on DNF technology and supports RPM software packages. It also offers a vast software ecosystem due to its popularity in the enterprise world.

Overview of Oracle Linux 8

Oracle Linux is an enterprise-class open-source operating system that is fully compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). Developed and maintained by Oracle, it is optimized for Oracle software and hardware, but it can be deployed anywhere and support any application.

Key Features

  1. Compatibility with RHEL: Oracle Linux is binary compatible with RHEL, which means applications designed for RHEL will work on Oracle Linux. This makes migration and compatibility easier for developers and organizations.
  2. Optimized for Oracle Products: Oracle Linux is heavily optimized for other Oracle products, including Oracle Database, Middleware, and Hardware, resulting in improved performance and efficiency.
  3. Ksplice Technology: One of the standout features of Oracle Linux is Ksplice, which allows users to apply patches and updates to the kernel without needing to reboot the system. This leads to improved system uptime and security.
  4. Two Kernel Options: Oracle Linux provides users with a choice between two kernel options – the Oracle Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK), renowned for its focus on performance and scalability, and the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK).

Overview of AlmaLinux 8

AlmaLinux is an open-source, community-driven Linux distribution that is a downstream, binary-compatible fork of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was developed as a replacement for CentOS Linux, offering a free, stable, and enterprise-grade operating system.

Key Features

  1. Compatibility with RHEL: AlmaLinux is fully binary compatible with RHEL, ensuring seamless migration and compatibility for projects and applications designed for RHEL.
  2. Community-Driven: AlmaLinux is governed and driven by the community, ensuring transparency, wide-scale collaboration, and an operating system that caters to the needs of its users.
  3. Stability and Security: AlmaLinux provides a stable, secure, and reliable platform for applications, making it an excellent choice for production environments.
  4. Long-Term Support: Similar to CentOS, AlmaLinux offers long-term support, which is crucial for enterprise operations and applications requiring a consistent, long-lived base.

Conclusion

As we have explored the landscape of Rocky Linux 8 vs CentOS Stream 8 vs RHEL 8 vs Oracle Linux 8 vs AlmaLinux 8, we see that each of these five distributions presents a unique blend of features and capabilities.

So, which distribution should you choose? Well, that depends on your specific needs, resources, and risk tolerance. Whether you prefer the stability of RHEL 8, the cutting-edge features of CentOS Stream 8, the performance of Oracle Linux 8, or the community spirit of Rocky Linux 8 or AlmaLinux 8, there’s a distribution for you.

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