CentOS will reach its end of life in June 2024.
News of CentOS’s end of life has caused a lot of concern.
Organizations and administrators using the OS are sweating on how to migrate their servers and IT infrastructure from CentOS.
Changing server software en masse is no mean undertaking.
Why Is CentOS Being Phased Out?
CentOS released its first version, based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), in 2004.
This acquisition alone should have raised warning bells.
The current CentOS is no longer a direct copy of RHEL and instead, is an upstream.
A sort of testing ground for RHEL, just like Fedora.
Also, the new OS is now calledCentOS Stream.
Upstream Linux distros tend to be packed with the latest and greatest features and have shorter release cycles.
Why Choose AlmaLinux?
AlmaLinux is now much similar to what CentOS used to be.
It is a stable and reliable OS that is 1:1 binary compatible with RHEL.
In simple terms, it is similar to the current stable releases of RHEL.
AlmaLinux is not only a solid replacement for CentOS but also a great alternative to RHEL.
You get an enterprise-grade OS without the service fees associated with RHEL.
It is a robust and well-tested operating system.
For enterprises and individuals looking fora great CentOS alternative, AlmaLinux is definitely a solid candidate.
you oughta pay software developers, system admins, and other management logistics.
Fortunately, AlmaLinux is well-funded and supported.
Some top companies backing AlmaLinux include Amazon, Microsoft, CloudLinux, Equinix, AMD, etc.
Sustaining open-source software like AlmaLinux over a long period requires solid financial backing.
The entire migration process only requires that your server reboots two times.
Available on Both Servers and Desktops
AlmaLinux is available in both desktop and server editions.
This allows organizations to develop and test software on a similar operating system base that powers their servers.
If you have ever used RHEL or CentOS, you’ll immediately recognize their resemblance with AlmaLinux Desktop.
And you’ll not feel strange using it.
It is widely used on CloudLinux and other government agencies.
Other CentOS Alternatives Worth Considering
Another greatalternative to CentOS is Rocky Linux.
It is also based on RHEL and is quite similar to AlmaLinux.
Rocky Linux is driven by one of the pioneers of CentOS.
Other early CentOS contributors are also heavily involved in the development of Rocky Linux.
Oracle Linux has been in developmentsince 2006 and is also binary compatible with RHEL.
Lastly, you’re able to also migrate to RHEL itself.
Also, you should test the migration tool in a simulated environment before using it on live servers.
