CentOS, short for "Community ENTerprise Operating System," is a renowned Linux distribution known for its stability, reliability, and strong compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). In this article, we'll delve into the intriguing history of CentOS Linux, tracing its origins and evolution as a robust open-source operating system.
Birth of CentOS:
The story of CentOS begins with the launch of RHEL, a premium, commercially supported Linux distribution offered by Red Hat. RHEL has long been favored by enterprises for its enterprise-grade features, support, and security. However, many users, particularly in the open-source community, sought an alternative that would provide RHEL's core functionalities without the associated licensing costs.
2003: The Genesis: CentOS was officially launched in 2003 as a free, community-driven project. The initial release, CentOS 2, was based on the sources of RHEL 2.1 AS (Advanced Server). Its primary goal was to create a binary-compatible alternative to RHEL, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of RHEL without the premium price tag.
Version Alignment: One of CentOS's defining features has been its commitment to aligning versions with RHEL releases. For instance:
- CentOS 3 followed RHEL 3.
- CentOS 4 corresponded with RHEL 4.
- CentOS 5 mirrored RHEL 5.
- CentOS 6 synchronized with RHEL 6.
- CentOS 7 coincided with RHEL 7.
- CentOS 8 aimed to align with RHEL 8.
Popularity and Community Development: CentOS quickly gained popularity, attracting a dedicated user base and a growing community of developers and contributors. This community-driven approach was instrumental in enhancing the distribution's features, stability, and support.
Partnerships and Recognition: Over the years, CentOS formed partnerships with organizations such as cPanel, a popular web hosting control panel, and CloudLinux, a provider of Linux distribution and server security solutions. These partnerships demonstrated the broad appeal and credibility of CentOS in the Linux ecosystem.
2020: A Pivotal Moment: In December 2020, a significant shift occurred in the CentOS ecosystem. The CentOS project announced a change in its focus from CentOS Linux 8, which was intended to be a downstream rebuild of RHEL 8, to CentOS Stream, a rolling-release distribution that serves as a development branch for RHEL. This decision was met with mixed reactions, leading to concerns within the community.
The Birth of AlmaLinux: In response to the change in CentOS's direction, the AlmaLinux project emerged in 2020 as an alternative. AlmaLinux aims to provide a stable, open-source, and community-driven RHEL-compatible distribution, similar to the original CentOS mission.
The history of CentOS Linux reflects the power of open source, community-driven development. It began as an ambitious project to provide a free alternative to RHEL, grew into a widely adopted distribution, and ultimately faced a pivotal moment in its evolution. The legacy of CentOS continues with the emergence of AlmaLinux and other RHEL-compatible distributions, ensuring that the principles of stability, reliability, and affordability in enterprise Linux persist in the open-source world.
