CentOS is a popular Linux distribution, derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and often used in server environments. Here’s an overview of key features and history of CentOS:
- CentOS stands for Community ENTerprise Operating System.
- It is a free, open-source Linux distribution.
- CentOS is binary-compatible with RHEL, meaning that the software compiled for RHEL can typically be run on CentOS without modification.
- CentOS is popular in enterprise environments where users require the stability and reliability of RHEL but without the cost of a subscription.
- Stability: CentOS focuses on stability and long-term support, with releases supported for many years.
- Security: CentOS benefits from RHEL’s security features, offering frequent security updates and patches.
- Compatibility: Since it’s derived from RHEL, it maintains a high level of compatibility with RHEL software and repositories.
- Community-driven: Development and support are driven by the open-source community.
- CentOS Linux 7: Released in 2014 and reached end of life on 2024-06-30.
- CentOS Linux 8: Released in 2019 and reached end of life on 2021-12-31.
- CentOS Stream: Rolling-release line positioned between Fedora and RHEL. Stream 9 and 10 are the active series.
- CentOS Stream 9: Released 2021-09-15; active with Secure Boot support (2025); EOL May 31, 2027.
- CentOS Stream 10: Released 2024-12-12; active with Secure Boot support; EOL January 1, 2030.
- CentOS Stream 8: Released 2019-09-24; reached EOL May 31, 2024.
- CentOS Stream is a continuous delivery distribution that acts as a development branch between Fedora (upstream) and RHEL (downstream).
- CentOS Linux (the traditional model) was discontinued for CentOS 8 at the end of 2021, with CentOS 7 still receiving support.
- This shift from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream caused some users to switch to alternatives like AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, which continue to offer community-driven, stable versions closely mirroring RHEL.
- Web servers: CentOS is commonly used for hosting web servers using Apache, Nginx, or other web technologies.
- Databases: It’s often used in database environments with MySQL, PostgreSQL, and other database software.
- Virtualization: CentOS is frequently used as a base for virtualization platforms such as KVM or container orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes.
- Development environments: Many developers use CentOS for testing and development of enterprise applications.
- CentOS uses the yum (Yellowdog Updater, Modified) and dnf package managers to install, update, and remove software. It also relies on RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) files.
[More about Package Management in CentOS(/distributions/centos/package-management)
- CentOS Stream 10: Released 2024-12-12; rolling preview of the next RHEL major release; Secure Boot support; EOL 2030-01-01.
- CentOS Stream 9: Released 2021-09-15; rolling preview of RHEL 9 minor releases; Secure Boot support (2025); EOL 2027-05-31.
- CentOS Stream 8: Released 2019-09-24; reached EOL May 31, 2024 (aligned with RHEL 8).
- CentOS Linux: Traditional downstream rebuilds (CentOS 7 and 8) are now end-of-life.
- Current Status: CentOS Stream actively maintained by Red Hat with new major versions every 3 years and 5-year maintenance lifecycle.
| Version |
Release Date |
Status |
End of Support |
Secure Boot |
| CentOS Stream 10 |
2024-12-12 |
🟢 Active |
2030-01-01 |
✅ Yes |
| CentOS Stream 9 |
2021-09-15 |
🟢 Active |
2027-05-31 |
✅ Yes |
| CentOS Stream 8 |
2019-09-24 |
🔴 EOL |
2024-05-31 |
❌ No |
| Series |
Type |
GA Date |
Status |
EOL Date |
Release Info |
| CentOS Stream 10 |
Stream |
2024-12-12 |
Active |
2030-01-01 |
https://blog.centos.org/ |
| CentOS Stream 9 |
Stream |
2021-09-15 |
Active |
2027-05-31 |
https://blog.centos.org/ |
| CentOS Stream 8 |
Stream |
2019-09-24 |
EOL |
2024-05-31 |
https://blog.centos.org/ |
| CentOS 8 |
Linux |
2019-09-24 |
EOL |
2021-12-31 |
https://wiki.centos.org/About/Product |
| CentOS 7 |
Linux |
2014-07-07 |
EOL |
2024-06-30 |
https://wiki.centos.org/About/Product |
| CentOS 6 |
Linux |
2011-07-10 |
EOL |
2020-11-30 |
https://wiki.centos.org/About/Product |
| CentOS 5 |
Linux |
2007-04-12 |
EOL |
2017-03-31 |
https://wiki.centos.org/About/Product |
| CentOS 4 |
Linux |
2005-03-18 |
EOL |
2012-02-29 |
https://wiki.centos.org/About/Product |
- Servers: CentOS Stream is used to test and validate changes for upcoming RHEL minor releases.
- Compatibility: CentOS Linux (7/8) remains common in legacy environments where RHEL compatibility was required.
- Development: Stream is suitable for teams that want early access to RHEL changes.
- Production: CentOS Stream 9 and 10 are suitable for production workloads with Secure Boot support.
- CI/CD: Integration testing for RHEL-compatible software development.
CentOS Stream 10 is the latest major release, based on Fedora 40 and serving as the upstream for RHEL 10.
| Feature |
Description |
| Release Date |
December 12, 2024 |
| Based On |
Fedora 40 |
| Kernel |
Linux 6.12+ LTS |
| Desktop |
GNOME 46, KDE Plasma 6 |
| Secure Boot |
✅ Supported |
| End of Support |
January 1, 2030 |
| Component |
Version |
| Linux Kernel |
6.12+ LTS |
| GCC |
14.x |
| glibc |
2.39+ |
| Python |
3.12+ |
| OpenSSL |
3.2+ |
| Podman |
5.x |
| DNF |
DNF 5 |
CentOS Stream 9 serves as the upstream for RHEL 9 minor releases.
| Feature |
Description |
| Release Date |
September 15, 2021 |
| Based On |
Fedora 34 |
| Kernel |
Linux 5.14 LTS |
| Desktop |
GNOME 40+, KDE Plasma 5.22+ |
| Secure Boot |
✅ Supported (since 2025) |
| End of Support |
May 31, 2027 |
| Tool |
Description |
| DNF |
Dandified YUM - default package manager (Stream 9/10) |
| YUM |
Yellowdog Updater Modified - legacy support |
| RPM |
Red Hat Package Manager - package format |
| Flatpak |
Universal application packaging (optional) |
| Architecture |
Status |
Description |
| x86_64 |
✅ Primary |
64-bit Intel/AMD |
| ARM64 (AArch64) |
✅ Primary |
64-bit ARM servers |
| ppc64le |
✅ Secondary |
POWER8/POWER9 little-endian |
| s390x |
✅ Secondary |
IBM Z mainframes |
| Version |
Release Date |
Full Support |
End of Life |
| Stream 10 |
2024-12-12 |
~5 years |
2030-01-01 |
| Stream 9 |
2021-09-15 |
~5.5 years |
2027-05-31 |
| Stream 8 |
2019-09-24 |
~4.5 years |
2024-05-31 |
CentOS Linux 7 reached end of life on June 30, 2024. Migration options include:
| Migration Path |
Description |
| CentOS Stream 9 |
Rolling preview of RHEL 9; upgrade path available |
| CentOS Stream 10 |
Latest major release; fresh install recommended |
| AlmaLinux 9 |
Community RHEL clone; migration script available |
| Rocky Linux 9 |
Community RHEL clone; migration script available |
| RHEL 9 |
Red Hat Enterprise Linux; free developer subscription |
| Oracle Linux 9 |
Oracle’s RHEL clone; free tier available |
| Tool |
Purpose |
| Convert2Stream |
Migrate CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream |
| ELevate |
In-place migration to AlmaLinux/Rocky |
| Anaconda |
Fresh installation with data migration |
- [Anti-DDos Kernel Settings for CentOS(/distributions/centos/security/antiddos)