CentOS

CentOS is a free, open-source Linux distribution that provides a stable, enterprise-class operating system built from the sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). The name stands for Community Enterprise Operating System. Historically, CentOS functioned as a community-driven rebuild of RHEL, offering binary compatibility with the RHEL base while carrying its own branding and release cycle.

Technically, CentOS mirrors the RHEL package set, uses the RPM package format, and employs the same basic tools such as YUM or DNF for package management. This compatibility makes CentOS suitable for servers, data centers, web hosting, and cloud deployments where a RHEL-like environment is desired without a paid subscription. It is maintained by volunteers and community contributors, with support options typically provided through third-party vendors rather than Red Hat itself.

In late 2020, Red Hat announced a shift in strategy: CentOS would move from a stable downstream rebuild of RHEL to CentOS Stream, a rolling-release distribution that sits upstream of RHEL. CentOS Stream serves as a development preview of the next RHEL minor release, receiving updates ahead of RHEL proper. As a result, CentOS Linux—the traditional, stable rebuild—was superseded by CentOS Stream for new work, and CentOS Linux reached its end of life.

Governance and reception: CentOS remains a community project under the broader Fedora ecosystem, with no official Red Hat support implied by the project. The change to CentOS Stream prompted the creation of alternative RHEL-compatible distributions, such as Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux, which aim to provide binary-compatible, stable replacements for users seeking a CentOS-like experience without official Red Hat sponsorship. CentOS continues to be used in servers, virtualization, and cloud environments where an RHEL-compatible, cost-free option is desirable.