# CentOS

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q207542](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207542)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CentOS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centos

## Summary
CentOS (Community ENTerprise Operating System) is a free, open-source Linux distribution derived from the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It is designed to provide a stable, enterprise-class computing platform for servers, workstations, and high-performance computing environments.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Founded in 2002 by Greg Kurtzer.
- **First Release:** CentOS-2 Final was officially released on May 14, 2004.
- **Classification:** An instance of a free operating system and a Linux distribution.
- **Base Code:** Built primarily on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) source code and CAOS Linux.
- **Package Management:** Utilizes the RPM Package Manager with DNF or Yellowdog Updater (yum) as update methods.
- **Architecture Support:** Runs on x86_64, ARM architecture, and POWER8 platforms.
- **Licensing:** Distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
- **Successor:** Succeeded by CentOS Stream, a distribution also managed by The CentOS Project.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the relationship between CentOS and Red Hat Enterprise Linux?
A: CentOS is a downstream distribution based on the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It aims to provide a functionally compatible, community-supported alternative to the commercial RHEL product.

### Q: Is CentOS used in high-performance computing?
A: Yes, CentOS is a prominent operating system for supercomputers globally. It powers major systems such as the American Eagle supercomputer, Taiwan's Taiwania 3, and Canada's Niagara.

### Q: What are the primary alternatives to CentOS?
A: Following changes to the CentOS roadmap, direct community-driven alternatives include Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux. Other common competitors in the enterprise Linux market include Fedora Linux, Debian, and Ubuntu.

## Why It Matters
CentOS established itself as a critical component of the global IT infrastructure by offering an enterprise-grade operating system without the costs of a commercial subscription. By maintaining binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), it allowed organizations to run stable, long-term supported server environments using the same robust code used by major corporations. This made it the de facto standard for web hosting providers, data centers, and academic research institutions for nearly two decades.

The distribution's significance is further highlighted by its role in high-performance computing (HPC). It serves as the foundational software for several of the world's most powerful supercomputers, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Eagle and the Netherlands' Snellius. The transition from the traditional CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream marked a major shift in the Linux ecosystem, leading to the birth of new distributions like Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux to satisfy the continued demand for a stable, downstream RHEL clone. Ultimately, CentOS democratized access to enterprise-level computing, fostering a massive community of developers and system administrators.

## Notable For
- **Enterprise-Grade Stability:** Historically provided a free, community-supported version of RHEL source code, ensuring high reliability for server environments.
- **Supercomputing Infrastructure:** Powers world-class supercomputers including Taiwania 3 (Taiwan), Eagle (USA), and Niagara (Canada).
- **Broad Architecture Support:** Compatible with diverse hardware platforms including x86_64, ARM, and POWER8.
- **Robust Package Management:** Features a mature ecosystem centered around the RPM Package Manager and DNF/YUM update systems.

## Body

### Origins and Development
CentOS was founded in 2002 by Greg Kurtzer as a community-driven project. It was developed as a free operating system based on the Linux kernel and core GNU components. The project reached a major milestone on May 14, 2004, with the release of CentOS-2 Final. While it is most famous for its relationship with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), it also draws heritage from CAOS Linux.

### Technical Architecture
The distribution is built to support various hardware architectures, ensuring its utility in both standard server rooms and specialized research facilities. Supported platforms include:
*   **x86_64:** The standard for most modern server hardware.
*   **ARM architecture:** Increasingly used in power-efficient computing.
*   **POWER8:** Utilized in specific high-performance enterprise environments.

Software management is handled through the RPM Package Manager. For system updates and dependency resolution, CentOS transitioned from the Yellowdog Updater (yum) to DNF as its preferred method.

### High-Performance Computing (HPC) Deployments
CentOS is a preferred operating system for several international supercomputing projects:
*   **Eagle:** An American supercomputer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (inception 2018).
*   **Taiwania 3:** A Taiwanese supercomputer (inception 2020).
*   **Niagara:** A Canadian supercomputer (inception 2017).
*   **SNELLIUS PHASE 1 GPU:** A Netherlands-based supercomputer (inception 2022).
*   **Cherry Creek:** A supercomputer system installed in 2015.

### Version History and Evolution
CentOS has maintained several major stable versions over its history:
*   **CentOS 6:** Included releases such as 6.8 (2015), 6.9 (2017), and 6.10 (2018).
*   **CentOS 7:** Included version 7 (1810) in 2018 and 7.7 (1908) in 2019.
*   **CentOS 8:** Included version 8.0 (2019), 8.1 (2020), and 8.2 (2020).

The project eventually transitioned to **CentOS Stream**, which now serves as the successor to the traditional CentOS Linux distribution. This shift influenced the creation of new RHEL-based distributions, such as Rocky Linux (inception April 30, 2021) and AlmaLinux (inception March 30, 2021).

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## References

1. [Source](https://blog.centos.org/2017/08/centos-linux-7-1708-based-on-rhel-7-4-source-code/)
2. [Source](https://readyspace.com.hk/greg-kurtzer-founder-of-the-centos-project/)
3. [Release for CentOS Linux 6.8 i386 and x86_64](https://lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2016-May/021895.html)
4. [CentOS 6.9 Release Notes](https://wiki.centos.org/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS6.9)
5. [CentOS 6.10 Release Notes](https://wiki.centos.org/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS6.10)
6. [CentOS-7 (1810) Release Notes](https://wiki.centos.org/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS7.1810?action=show&redirect=Manuals%2FReleaseNotes%2FCentOS7)
7. [Source](https://lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2019-September/023405.html)
8. [Release for CentOS Linux 8 and CentOS Streams](https://lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2019-September/023449.html)
9. [2020](https://wiki.centos.org/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS8.1911)
10. [2020](https://wiki.centos.org/action/show/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS8.2004?action=show&redirect=Manuals%2FReleaseNotes%2FCentOSLinux8)
11. [2020](https://wiki.centos.org/action/show/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS7.2003?action=show&redirect=Manuals%2FReleaseNotes%2FCentOS7)
12. [CentOS-8 (2011) Release Notes. 2020](https://wiki.centos.org/action/show/Manuals/ReleaseNotes/CentOS8.2011?action=show&redirect=Manuals%2FReleaseNotes%2FCentOSLinux8)
13. [Source](https://lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos-announce/2021-June/048316.html)
14. [Source](https://blog.centos.org/2021/12/introducing-centos-stream-9/)
15. [Source](https://blog.centos.org/2024/12/introducing-centos-stream-10/)
16. [CentOS-2 Final finally released](https://lists.centos.org/pipermail/centos/2004-May/000153.html)
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. [Source](https://sysadminxpert.com/category/linux/centos/)
19. Quora
20. [Source](https://www.zhihu.com/search?q=CentOS&type=content)
21. [CentOS GPG Keys](https://www.centos.org/keys/)
22. [Source](https://svnweb.freebsd.org/ports?view=revision&revision=368845)
23. [Source](https://svnweb.freebsd.org/ports?view=revision&revision=521623)
24. [Source](https://svnweb.freebsd.org/ports?view=revision&revision=424259)
25. [Source](https://dekisoft.com/centos-7-vs-centos-8-comparison/)
26. YouTube API