# Rocky Linux

> Linux distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux

**Wikidata**: [Q104102686](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104102686)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Linux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rocky-linux

## Summary
Rocky Linux is a free and open-source Linux distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), designed to provide a stable, community-driven alternative for enterprise and server environments. It was created as a successor to CentOS after its shift in development strategy, emphasizing long-term support and compatibility with RHEL. The first release candidate (8.3 RC1) debuted on April 30, 2021.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: April 30, 2021 (initial release candidate).
- **Developer**: Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation.
- **Based on**: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS.
- **License**: 3-clause BSD License.
- **Latest Stable Versions**: 9.2 (May 16, 2023) and 8.8 (May 20, 2023).
- **Platforms**: AArch64, x86-64, IBM S/390.
- **Package Management**: RPM Package Manager (DNF update method).
- **Social Media Followers**: 14,520 (as of February 8, 2023).
- **Community Features**: Official forums, GitHub repository, and multilingual support (English, Russian, etc.).

## FAQs
### Q: Why was Rocky Linux created?
A: Rocky Linux was developed as a community-driven replacement for CentOS after CentOS announced it would shift to a shorter-term support model, diverging from RHEL's long-term stability.

### Q: Is Rocky Linux free to use?
A: Yes, Rocky Linux is a free operating system, allowing users to freely use, modify, and redistribute the software under its 3-clause BSD License.

### Q: What makes Rocky Linux different from RHEL?
A: While Rocky Linux is binary-compatible with RHEL, it is entirely community-supported and free, whereas RHEL requires paid subscriptions for access to updates and support.

## Why It Matters
Rocky Linux plays a critical role in the enterprise computing landscape by offering a reliable, no-cost alternative to RHEL. It ensures continuity for users who relied on CentOS for stable, long-term support, particularly in server and supercomputing environments. Its adoption by high-performance systems like Germany’s Lise GPU-X and Turkey’s ARF ACC underscores its scalability and performance. By maintaining compatibility with RHEL, Rocky Linux preserves a vital open-source pathway for organizations needing enterprise-grade software without proprietary restrictions.

## Notable For
- **Community-Driven Successor**: Emerged as the primary alternative to CentOS, backed by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation.
- **Multi-Architecture Support**: Runs on AArch64, x86-64, and legacy platforms like IBM S/390.
- **Rapid Adoption**: Gained over 14,500 social media followers within two years of launch, reflecting strong community engagement.
- **Supercomputing Use**: Powers top-tier systems like Lise GPU-X (ranked in the TOP500) and ARF ACC.

## Body
### Background and Creation
Rocky Linux was founded in response to CentOS’s December 2020 announcement to end its long-term support model. The first release candidate (8.3 RC1) launched on April 30, 2021, with the stable 8.4 version following in June 2021. Development is led by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, with contributions from a global community.

### Versions and Releases
- **8.3 RC1**: April 30, 2021 (initial release candidate).
- **9.0**: July 14, 2022 (codenamed "Blue Onyx," introducing improved security and hardware support).
- **9.2**: May 16, 2023 (latest stable release with updated toolchains and packages).
- **8.8**: May 20, 2023 (legacy version maintaining extended support).

### Technical Details
- **Package Management**: Uses RPM and DNF for software installation and updates.
- **Desktop Environment**: Ships with GNOME Shell 40 (as of version 9.0).
- **Documentation**: Hosts an official wiki (https://wiki.rockylinux.org/) and user manual.

### Community and Support
- ** Forums**: https://forums.rockylinux.org/.
- **Code Repository**: https://git.rockylinux.org/ (hosted on GitLab EE).
- **Issue Tracker**: https://bugs.rockylinux.org/.

### Notable Deployments
- **Lise GPU-X**: A German supercomputer ranked in the TOP500 (2023).
- **ARF ACC**: A Turkish supercomputer launched in 2024, demonstrating Rocky Linux’s HPC capabilities.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Software",
  "name": "Rocky Linux",
  "description": "A free and open-source Linux distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.",
  "url": "https://rockylinux.org/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105942227",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Linux"
  ],
  "operatingSystem": ["Linux"],
  "softwareVersion": ["9.2", "8.8"],
  "developer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation"
  },
  "datePublished": "2021-04-30",
  "license": "https://opensource.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause",
  "systemRequirements": "AArch64, x86-64, IBM S/390"
}

## References

1. [Rocky Linux 8.3 RC1 Available Now. 2021](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-3-rc1-release/)
2. [Rocky Linux 8.4 RC1 Available Now. 2021](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-4-rc1-release/)
3. [Rocky Linux 8.4 GA Available Now](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-4-ga-release/)
4. [Rocky Linux 8.5 Available Now](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-5-ga-release/)
5. [Rocky Linux 8.6 Available Now](https://rockylinux.org/fr/news/rocky-linux-8-6-ga-release/)
6. [Rocky Linux 9.0 Available Now. 2022](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-0-ga-release/)
7. [Rocky Linux 8.7 Available Now](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-7-ga-release/)
8. [Rocky Linux 9.1 Available Now. 2022](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-1-ga-release/)
9. [Rocky Linux 9.2 Available Now. 2023](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-2-ga-release/)
10. [Rocky Linux 8.8 Available Now | Rocky Linux. 2023](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-8-ga-release/)
11. [Rocky Linux 9.3 Available Now | Rocky Linux. 2023](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-3-ga-release/)
12. [Rocky Linux 8.9 Available Now. 2023](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-9-ga-release/)
13. [Rocky Linux 9.4 Available Now. 2024](https://rockylinux.org/zh_TW/news/rocky-linux-9-4-ga-release)
14. [Rocky Linux 8.10 Available Now. 2024](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-10-ga-release)
15. [Rocky Linux 9.5 Available Now. 2024](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-5-ga-release)
16. [Rocky Linux 9.6 Available Now. 2025](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-6-ga-release)
17. [Rocky Linux 10.0 Available Now. 2025](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-10-0-ga-release)
18. [Rocky Linux 10.1 Available Now. 2025](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-10-1-ga-release)
19. [Rocky Linux 9.7 Available Now. 2025](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-7-ga-release)
20. [Source](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-9-3-ga-release/)
21. [Source](https://rockylinux.org/news/rocky-linux-8-3-rc1-release/)