Introduction to CentOS and its history

CentOS, which stands for Community Enterprise Operating System, is a Linux distribution known for its stability, reliability, and long-term support. It is based on the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and aims to provide a free and open-source alternative to RHEL, while maintaining compatibility with its upstream source.

History:

1. Origins in RHEL:

   • CentOS traces its roots back to RHEL, which is developed and maintained by Red Hat, Inc.
   • RHEL is a commercial Linux distribution known for its stability and support, primarily targeted at enterprise customers.
   • Red Hat releases the source code of RHEL under the GNU General Public License (GPL), allowing anyone to redistribute and modify it.

2. Creation of CentOS:

   • CentOS was created in 2004 by a small group of developers led by Gregory Kurtzer, who aimed to provide a freely available alternative to RHEL.
   • The CentOS project takes the freely available source code of RHEL, removes Red Hat's trademarks and branding, and rebuilds it to create a compatible distribution.
   • The goal of CentOS is to provide a stable and community-supported operating system suitable for use in production environments.

3. Versioning and Release Cycle:

   • CentOS follows a versioning scheme that mirrors RHEL's version numbers. For example, CentOS 7 corresponds to RHEL 7.
   • CentOS typically lags behind RHEL releases by a few months due to the time required to rebuild and test the distribution.
   • CentOS releases updates and security patches regularly, ensuring ongoing support and stability.

4. Popularity and Adoption:

   • CentOS has gained significant popularity among users and organizations seeking a reliable and cost-effective Linux distribution.
   • It is widely used for web hosting, server deployments, virtualization, and various other applications where stability and long-term support are essential.
   • Many businesses and enterprises rely on CentOS for their critical infrastructure needs, thanks to its compatibility with RHEL and its reputation for stability.

5. Acquisition by Red Hat:

   • In 2014, Red Hat announced its acquisition of CentOS, with plans to integrate CentOS more closely into its ecosystem.
   • As part of this integration, Red Hat introduced CentOS Stream, a rolling-release version of CentOS that serves as a testing ground for future RHEL releases.
   • Despite the acquisition, CentOS continues to be maintained as a separate project with a focus on community-driven development and support.