Red Hat Enterprise Linux Derivatives
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) serves as the foundational bedrock for many of the world's most critical enterprise environments. Because of its stability and rigorous testing, many organizations and communities have developed derivatives—distributions based on the RHEL source code—to provide alternatives that vary in governance, cost, and specific technical optimizations.
These derivatives range from community-driven replacements for legacy systems to highly specialized builds for high-performance computing and embedded industrial devices.
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Key Facts
- Community Alternatives: AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux have emerged as primary community-supported replacements for CentOS.
- Industry Standards: Certain derivatives, such as EulerOS and Inspur K-UX, are certified to The Open Group's UNIX 03 standard.
- Specialized Hardware: RedSleeve Linux provides builds for ARMv5 and ARMv6 architectures to support older devices.
- Corporate Offerings: Oracle Linux and EuroLinux provide enterprise-grade alternatives with optional paid support models.
Active Enterprise Linux Distributions
The current landscape of RHEL-based distributions is diverse, catering to different operational needs from cloud infrastructure to bare-metal servers.
Community-Driven and Open Source
- AlmaLinux: A 100% community-owned and governed replacement for CentOS, managed by the non-profit AlmaLinux OS Foundation.
- Rocky Linux: Initiated by CentOS founder Gregory Kurtzer, this distribution provides a community-supported alternative to RHEL.
- Circle Linux: An open-source project focused on maintaining full compatibility with the RHEL ecosystem.
Commercial and Specialized Distributions
- Oracle Linux: A free-to-download distribution that provides public access to the latest errata and patches via the Oracle Linux yum server, with optional paid subscriptions.
- EuroLinux: Distributed under an open core model, this distribution offers the ability to fork and rebuild from sources for specific purposes.
- MIRACLE LINUX: An enterprise-focused distribution developed by Cybertrust Japan.
- VzLinux: Developed by Virtuozzo and specifically optimized for virtual machines, containers, or bare-metal deployments.
- Springdale Linux: Formerly known as PUIAS Linux, this is a complete OS for desktops and servers built from RHEL source packages.
Niche and Technical Implementations
- RedSleeve Linux: Specifically targets older devices by providing ARMv5 and ARMv6 builds of EL6, EL7, EL8, and EL9.
- Redpesk: A secure embedded Linux created by IoT.bzh, designed for industrial connected devices requiring very long term support.
- Bull's XBAS (bullx): Optimized specifically for high-performance computing (HPC).
- NethServer and ClearOS: Server distributions that simplify management, with NethServer offering a WebGUI for service configuration.
- EulerOS and Inspur K-UX: Both are certified to The Open Group's UNIX 03 standard.
- Oreon: Another notable derivative in the RHEL ecosystem.
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Appliance-Oriented Derivatives
Beyond general-purpose operating systems, RHEL technology is often embedded into specific hardware appliances to provide a stable userland environment.
- Amazon Linux AMI: Utilizes a RHEL7 userland paired with a linux-xen-kernel.
- Google Search Appliance: A specialized tool derived from CentOS.
- VMware ESX: Uses RHEL-based software for its Service Console.
Comparison of Notable Derivatives
| Distribution | Primary Focus | Governance/Model |
|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux | CentOS Replacement | Non-profit Foundation |
| Rocky Linux | CentOS Replacement | Community-supported |
| Oracle Linux | Enterprise Stability | Commercial (Free use) |
| RedSleeve Linux | Legacy ARM Hardware | Specialized Build |
| Redpesk | Industrial IoT | Embedded/Long-term |
Legacy and Discontinued Distributions
Several distributions that were once prominent have either ceased production or are now outdated. Notably, CentOS (last version released September 24, 2019) and Scientific Linux will only receive maintenance updates for version 7 until June 30, 2024. Similarly, SME Server version 10 shares this same maintenance deadline.
Other discontinued projects include:
- White Box Enterprise Linux: No longer actively developed.
- ClefOS: A CentOS port for IBM Z.
- Fermi Linux: A Scientific Linux derivative for Fermilab research.
- Yellow Dog Linux, CAOS Linux, and StartCom Enterprise Linux.
- Rocks Cluster Distribution: Based on earlier RHEL and recent CentOS releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best replacements for CentOS?
AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are the most prominent community-driven replacements, both aiming to provide a compatible, enterprise-grade alternative to CentOS.
Which RHEL derivatives are certified for UNIX standards?
EulerOS and Inspur K-UX are both certified to The Open Group's UNIX 03 standard.
Can I use Oracle Linux for free?
Yes, Oracle Linux is free to download, distribute, and use, including access to the latest errata and patches. Paid support subscriptions are available as an option.
Are there RHEL derivatives for older ARM devices?
Yes, RedSleeve Linux provides builds for ARMv5 and ARMv6 architectures for devices that do not meet the requirements of other ARM Enterprise Linux distributions.
When does maintenance end for CentOS 7 and Scientific Linux 7?
Maintenance updates for version 7 of both CentOS and Scientific Linux (as well as SME Server version 10) are scheduled to end on June 30, 2024.