CentOS Vs AlmaLinux ~ CentOS and AlmaLinux are both popular choices for enterprise-level Linux distributions, especially after the significant changes to the CentOS project in recent years. Here is a comparison to help you understand their differences and similarities:
Differences Between CentOS Vs AlmaLinux
1. Background and History
- CentOS:
- History: CentOS (Community ENTerprise Operating System) has been a popular community-supported open-source project derived from the sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It aimed to provide a free, enterprise-class computing platform that was functionally compatible with its upstream source, RHEL.
- Recent Changes: In December 2020, Red Hat announced that CentOS Linux 8 would be the last version of CentOS Linux, with CentOS Stream taking its place. CentOS Stream is a rolling-release distribution that sits between Fedora and RHEL, serving as a preview of what the next minor release of RHEL will be.
- AlmaLinux:
- History: AlmaLinux is a relatively new distribution, created by CloudLinux in response to Red Hat’s shift with CentOS. It is designed to be a binary-compatible fork of RHEL, effectively replacing what CentOS Linux was before the change to CentOS Stream.
- Mission: AlmaLinux aims to provide a stable and free enterprise-grade Linux distribution that continues the tradition of CentOS by being a drop-in replacement for users and businesses relying on CentOS Linux.
2. Development and Support
- CentOS:
- Development Model: CentOS Stream receives updates before they are included in RHEL, making it less stable than the traditional CentOS but providing early access to upcoming features.
- Support: CentOS Stream is supported by Red Hat and the CentOS community. It has a rolling release model with a continuous stream of updates.
- AlmaLinux:
- Development Model: AlmaLinux closely follows the RHEL release cycle, providing stable releases that are binary-compatible with RHEL.
- Support: AlmaLinux is supported by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, which includes CloudLinux and other community and corporate sponsors. It has an open and community-driven development model with commercial support options available.
3. Stability and Use Cases
- CentOS:
- Stability: CentOS Stream is less stable compared to the traditional CentOS Linux since it serves as a development branch for RHEL.
- Use Cases: CentOS Stream is suited for developers and testers who need early access to features that will appear in the next RHEL release. It is less ideal for production environments that require a stable, predictable operating system.
- AlmaLinux:
- Stability: AlmaLinux offers a stable and reliable platform, similar to the traditional CentOS Linux, making it suitable for production environments.
- Use Cases: Ideal for enterprises, hosting providers, and other users who require a stable, RHEL-compatible operating system for production use.
4. Community and Ecosystem
- CentOS:
- Community: CentOS has a large and active community, but the shift to CentOS Stream has led some users to seek alternatives for stability.
- Ecosystem: As a project under Red Hat, CentOS Stream benefits from close ties with Fedora and RHEL, providing a cohesive ecosystem for development and deployment.
- AlmaLinux:
- Community: AlmaLinux has quickly built a strong and growing community with support from several key players in the industry.
- Ecosystem: AlmaLinux aims to create a robust ecosystem of partners, contributors, and users, positioning itself as a reliable RHEL clone for those moving away from CentOS Linux.
5. Migration and Compatibility
- CentOS:
- Migration Path: Users of CentOS Linux 8 are encouraged to migrate to CentOS Stream or consider other RHEL clones like AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux.
- Compatibility: CentOS Stream is compatible with RHEL to a certain extent but being a development branch, it might introduce changes not yet in RHEL.
- AlmaLinux:
- Migration Path: AlmaLinux provides a straightforward migration path for users coming from CentOS Linux. The AlmaLinux project offers scripts and tools to facilitate the migration.
- Compatibility: AlmaLinux is designed to be fully binary-compatible with RHEL, ensuring that applications and workloads running on RHEL or CentOS Linux will run seamlessly on AlmaLinux.
Conclusion
Choosing between CentOS Stream and AlmaLinux largely depends on your specific needs and preferences:
- Choose CentOS Stream if you are interested in participating in the development process of RHEL, need early access to upcoming features, and are comfortable with a rolling-release model that may have less stability.
- Choose AlmaLinux if you require a stable, production-ready operating system that closely follows RHEL releases, with a straightforward migration path from traditional CentOS Linux.
Both distributions have their strengths and cater to different segments of the Linux user base. Understanding your requirements and the future direction of each project will help you make the best decision for your infrastructure.
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