Replacing CentOS: Identifying Suitable Replacements

CentOS requires alternatives because CentOS Stream no longer provides long-term support. Alternative options include: 1. Rocky Linux, which provides 10 years of life cycle support, suitable for users who need stability. 2. AlmaLinux also provides 10 years of support and has strong community support. 3. Oracle Linux, provides RHEL-compatible version, and has flexible life cycle management.

introduction

Over the past few years, CentOS has won the favor of many system administrators and developers as a stable server operating system. However, in September 2020, Red Hat announced that it would stop supporting CentOS 8 in favor of CentOS Stream, which led many to look for alternatives. The purpose of this article is to help you understand some viable alternatives and provide some personal experience and insights to help you make informed choices. After reading this article, you will have a more comprehensive understanding of CentOS alternatives and be able to choose the most suitable operating system according to your needs.

Review of basic knowledge

CentOS is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), known for its stability and security. It has a long life cycle, usually 10 years, which is very important for server environments that require long-term support. However, the launch of CentOS Stream has changed that, it is more like a rolling release version designed to provide an upstream development platform for RHEL.

When looking for alternatives, we need to consider several key factors: stability, security, community support, software compatibility, and lifecycle management. Here are some alternative options worth considering:

Core concept or function analysis

Why do I need to replace CentOS?

Changes in CentOS force us to find alternatives because CentOS Stream no longer provides the same stability and long-term support as CentOS. This is a major shift for those who rely on CentOS as a production environment. Alternatives need to provide similar stability and security, along with good community support and software compatibility.

Definition and function of alternative options

Rocky Linux

Rocky Linux was initiated by Gregory Kurtzer, co-founder of CentOS, and aims to provide a CentOS-compatible alternative. It promises 10 years of lifecycle support, which is ideal for users who need long-term stability.

 # Install Rocky Linux
sudo dnf install rocky-release

AlmaLinux

AlmaLinux is launched by CloudLinux and is also committed to providing a CentOS-compatible alternative. It also promises 10 years of lifecycle support and has strong community support.

 # Install AlmaLinux
sudo dnf install almalinux-release

Oracle Linux

Oracle Linux is an enterprise-grade Linux distribution launched by Oracle. It offers RHEL-compatible versions and has a free basic support version. Its life cycle management is very flexible and can meet the needs of different users.

 # Install Oracle Linux
sudo yum install oraclelinux-release-el7

How it works

These alternatives work similarly to CentOS, and are built based on RHEL source code. They provide long-term support and stability in different ways, such as Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux ensure system stability through community and enterprise collaboration, while Oracle Linux provides assurance through Oracle's enterprise support.

Example of usage

Basic usage

When migrating to a new operating system, the first thing to consider is how to migrate the existing CentOS system to a new alternative. Here is a simple migration step:

 # Backup the existing system sudo tar -czvf /backup/centos_backup.tar.gz /

# Install a new operating system (taking Rocky Linux as an example)
sudo dnf install rocky-release

# Restore backup sudo tar -xzvf /backup/centos_backup.tar.gz -C /

Advanced Usage

For those who need more complex migration plans, consider using automation tools for migration. For example, using Ansible, you can write a playbook to automatically migrate from CentOS to Rocky Linux.

 ---
- name: Migrate from CentOS to Rocky Linux
  hosts: all
  became: yes

  tasks:
    - name: Backup current system
      shell: tar -czvf /backup/centos_backup.tar.gz /

    - name: Install Rocky Linux
      dnf:
        name: rocky-release
        state: present

    - name: Restore backup
      shell: tar -xzvf /backup/centos_backup.tar.gz -C /

Common Errors and Debugging Tips

During the migration process, you may encounter some common problems, such as package compatibility issues, configuration file differences, etc. Here are some common mistakes and their solutions:

• Package compatibility issues : On new operating systems, some packages may no longer be available or have different versions. This can be resolved by finding alternative packages or using a third-party repository.

 # Find alternative package sudo dnf search <package_name>

• Profile Differences : New operating systems may have some configuration file differences that require manual adjustment. You can adjust it by comparing the configuration files of the old system and the new system.

 # Compare the configuration file diff /etc/old_config /etc/new_config

Performance optimization and best practices

When choosing alternatives, performance optimization and best practices need to be considered in addition to stability and safety. Here are some suggestions:

• Performance Optimization : Performance may vary across operating systems. You can use benchmarks to compare the performance of different operating systems and choose the operating system that best suits your needs.

 # Run the benchmark sudo sysbench --test=cpu --cpu-max-prime=20000 run

• Best Practice : It is very important to maintain good documentation and backup habits during the migration process. At the same time, regular updates and maintenance of the system are also the key to ensuring system stability.

 # Update the system sudo dnf update

Overall, choosing a CentOS alternative requires a combination of factors. Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux and Oracle Linux are all good choices, each with its unique advantages and characteristics. Hope this article helps you better understand these alternatives and make the choice that suits you best.

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