# RancherOS

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q28456278](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28456278)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RancherOS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rancheros-q28456278

## Summary
RancherOS is a Linux distribution designed to function as an operating system. It was developed by Rancher Labs, a software company based in Cupertino, United States. The system is copyrighted and licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** RancherOS is an instance of a Linux distribution and a facet of an operating system.
- **Developer:** The entity was created and developed by Rancher Labs.
- **License:** The software uses the Apache Software License 2.0.
- **Developer Origin:** Rancher Labs is a software company headquartered in Cupertino, United States.
- **Developer Inception:** Rancher Labs was founded on January 1, 2014.
- **Source Code:** The source code repository is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/rancher/os2`.
- **Copyright Status:** The software is classified as copyrighted.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of software is RancherOS?
A: RancherOS is a Linux distribution, which classifies it as an operating system based on the Linux kernel.

### Q: Who develops and maintains RancherOS?
A: RancherOS is developed by Rancher Labs, a software company founded in 2014 and based in Cupertino, United States.

### Q: Under what license is RancherOS released?
A: RancherOS is released under the Apache Software License 2.0.

## Why It Matters
RancherOS serves as a specialized Linux distribution within the broader ecosystem of operating systems. As a product of Rancher Labs, a software company established in 2014, it represents a specific approach to OS architecture licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0. Its significance lies in its classification as a distinct Linux distribution available for use, backed by a corporate entity based in the United States. While many operating systems exist, RancherOS is a specific entry maintained via a public source code repository, identifying it as a distinct technical project within the software landscape.

## Notable For
- **Corporate Backing:** Unlike some hobbyist distributions, it is developed by a formal software company, Rancher Labs.
- **Licensing:** It utilizes the Apache Software License 2.0, a permissive free software license.
- **Origin:** It is a US-based project developed out of Cupertino.
- **Availability:** The project maintains a public source code repository on GitHub.

## Body
### Development and Origin
RancherOS was developed by Rancher Labs, a software company that was founded on January 1, 2014. The company is based in the United States, with its headquarters located in Cupertino. The inception of the company and the development of the OS are documented through corporate and academic references, including Crunchbase and Wikipedia archives.

### Technical Classification
Technically, RancherOS is defined as a Linux distribution. As an operating system, it falls under the broader category of system software. It is identified as an "instance of" a Linux distribution and a "facet of" an operating system. The system relies on the Linux kernel and often core GNU components, consistent with the definition of its class.

### Source Code and Licensing
The project is accessible via its source code repository hosted at `https://github.com/rancher/os2`. It is protected under copyright law but distributed under the Apache Software License 2.0, allowing for broad usage and modification rights typically associated with open-source software. The project has a sitelink count of 1 and is primarily documented in English Wikipedia resources.

## References

1. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/rancher/os2)