Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about CentOS

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Serverpronto

5 min readMay 15, 2019

For those in the computer customization and creation community, CentOS has become well-known for its enhanced security and reliable stability, even between new releases. For those accustomed to the widely-used Red Hat Enterprise Linux, CentOS will feel second nature as it shares a majority of its functionality without the upstream branding and artwork.

Like any Linux system, there’s a lot to know about CentOS when it comes to specifications. While their in-house documentation provides a great deal of those microscopic details, most interested programmers should acquaint themselves with the big picture details before choosing a CentOS dedicated server.

Here’s a look into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about CentOS before trying it out for yourself.

CentOS is Not the Same as Red Hat Enterprise Linux

First and foremost, CentOS’ development team wants all prospective users to know that CentOS is not the same as Red Hat Enterprise Linux or any similar Red Hat product. This common misconception arises from the fact that CentOS derives from the same sources as Red Hat Enterprise Linux without sharing precise functional architecture.

While the CentOS project does work with Red Hat (the company) on some matters regarding distribution and trademark management, their respective operating systems follow different production cycles and feature fully separate programming teams.

CentOS Incorporates Many Top-Tier Specifications

At an operating system level, CentOS incorporates a significant number of leading specificationsthat allow for greater creativity within its framework. For example, CentOS 6 and 7 run on Linux 2.6.32 and Linux 3.10.0 kernels, respectively. Both are also “plug and play” in nature, using Firefox 60 as the default internet browser and featuring mp3 compatibility with additional repositories.

In terms of CPU capability, both CentOS 6 and 7’s x86_64 architecture can provide between 12 and 64 TB of space. Meanwhile, the native file system (in various configurations) is capable of handling maximum file sizes between 2 TB and 100 TB.

CentOS also leaves the door open for a variety of useful enhancements. For example, both current versions of CentOS allow for native Bluetooth support as well SELinux support. Also, in terms of use as a web server, CentOS is compatible with Apache httpd 2.2.15 and httpd 2.4.6 for versions 6 and 7, respectively.

CentOS Supports x86 and x86_64 Architecture

Currently, distributed versions of CentOSsupport x86 and x86_64 OS architectures. In particular, CentOS 6 supports both of these architectures while CentOS 7 only supports the later. However, CentOS 7 is unique because it currently allows for community maintained, unofficial i686, Arm32, Arm64, ppc64le, and ppc64 architectures (available for download from the appropriate SIG).

CentOS Can Be Downloaded for Free

Like many open-source operating systems, CentOS is free to use and free to distribute. Because of its community-driven approach to development, CentOS encourages its users to tinker with it and find new methods for implementing enhanced functionality within the operating system.

CentOS provides a great number of different ways to download their work, including DVD ISO, Minimal ISO, via torrent, through Amazon Web Services, and more. On the other hand, CentOS’ source packages (which are not included in the regular downloads) are available through their file vault.

CentOS 6 Will be Supported Through November 2020

Currently, the CentOS Project plans to maintain support for their immediate previous stable release — CentOS 6 — through the end of November 2020. This will allow current users to migrate to the latest release — CentOS 7 — with feeling rushed or losing their access to community-based support.

CentOS 7, on the other hand, is currently scheduled to reach its “end of life” at the conclusion of June 2024. However, this schedule is subject to change based upon the broader needs of the development community and the status of a forthcoming successor, the much-anticipated CentOS 8.

CentOS’ Community is Fertile and Growing

One major reason CentOS has managed to maintain a noteworthy market share is because its community has remained committed to improving it, patch by patch. Over time, this loose community has coalesced together and formed special interest groups (often called SIGs for short). These groups are hyper-focused on improving specific functional categories, like UX and virtualization.

While the CentOS Governing Board decides which SIGs may begin work under their auspices, any community member can propose or contribute to a SIG — as long as they maintain proper documentation and accept feedback from the community at large.

This community is also set up to support new and veteran users alike. As such, they provide a bevy of mailing lists(available in multiple languages) to help users acquire direct help from other active community members.

CentOS Provides Their Own Manuals

The CentOS Project wants new users to take advantage of every second of work they have accomplished so far and accordingly have provided a library of manuals to bring newcomers up to speed. This library includes a step-by-step installation guide for a variety of different architectures, as well as release notes covering significant changes.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, CentOS has a lot to offer users and developers when it comes to developing custom programs for emergent technology needs. Though it is officially forked from Red Hat Enterprise Linux, it shares a great deal of compatibility that will make it feel like a well-fitted glove to experienced users.

Even new users will appreciate CentOS as it provides a helpful, information-rich community that strives to work together in order to create the best possible Linux-based operating system. Between the mailing lists and manuals, the CentOS community has all the support a programmer could as for.

In its current state, CentOS will remain a viable option for custom OS creation for the foreseeable future. Each new release will be maintained for 10 years or longer, allowing creative programmers plenty of time collaborate and drive their innovation forward.

And perhaps most importantly, CentOS is set to remain free and accessible to all who have the time and intuition work within an innovative, adaptable Linux-based environment.

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