Rocky Linux is a free, community-driven enterprise Linux distribution designed to be 100% binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It serves as a stable, production-ready operating system and a direct replacement for CentOS, particularly for users who need a stable environment for enterprise use.
Rocky Linux was created in response to Red Hat’s announcement in December 2020 that CentOS would move to a rolling-release model with CentOS Stream. This shift left many users searching for a new stable, RHEL-compatible OS, prompting Gregory Kurtzer, a CentOS co-founder, to establish Rocky Linux as a solution.
Rocky Linux is maintained by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF), a non-profit organization. The RESF was created to support Rocky Linux and ensure it remains a community-led project with no corporate ownership.
Yes, Rocky Linux is completely free to download, use, and distribute. It is open-source and follows the same free and open principles that CentOS followed.
The RESF is a non-profit organization established to oversee the development, support, and promotion of Rocky Linux. It ensures that the project remains independent, free, and community-driven. The RESF’s goal is to keep Rocky Linux sustainable and stable for long-term enterprise use.
Rocky Linux offers a migration tool called migrate2rocky. This tool allows CentOS (and other RHEL-based distribution) users to seamlessly transition to Rocky Linux without needing to reinstall the OS. The migration preserves data, configurations, and installed packages.
Rocky Linux currently supports several architectures:
Rocky Linux follows RHEL’s release schedule, so major updates and patches align with RHEL’s lifecycle. Each release generally receives updates for about 10 years, with regular security patches and minor updates provided in line with RHEL’s schedule.
You can download Rocky Linux from the official website. Multiple options are available, including full ISO images and minimal installation versions.
Yes, some third-party companies and vendors offer commercial support for Rocky Linux. While the Rocky Linux project itself does not provide official commercial support, users can access a network of providers offering enterprise-level support services.
Rocky Linux’s security updates closely follow those released for RHEL. The Rocky Linux team ensures that security patches are applied promptly, keeping the distribution secure and reliable for enterprise use.
Absolutely! Rocky Linux is a community project, and contributions are welcomed. Developers, testers, translators, and community organizers are all encouraged to get involved. More information on contributing can be found on the Rocky Linux Community website.
Yes, Rocky Linux is designed specifically for production environments. It focuses on providing a stable, secure, and reliable experience for users, making it ideal for enterprise workloads, development, and general use cases requiring long-term stability.
Rocky Linux includes desktop environments, such as GNOME and KDE, in its repository, but it is primarily aimed at server and enterprise environments. Desktop environments can be installed, but Rocky Linux is optimized for server and infrastructure purposes.
Rocky Linux follows the same guidelines as other RHEL-compatible distributions regarding trademarks. It avoids using Red Hat’s trademarks and instead refers to itself as RHEL-compatible without using specific RHEL branding.
Support is available through the Rocky Linux community, including forums, mailing lists, and chat rooms. Community members share troubleshooting tips, configuration advice, and general help. The RESF also offers detailed documentation to assist users with setup and maintenance.
The long-term goal of Rocky Linux is to remain a stable, community-driven, enterprise-grade operating system with long-term support, aiming to serve as the leading CentOS replacement for years to come.
Rocky Linux Overview
Package Management in Rocky Linux
Rocky Linux History