Shubh: Created page with "== Introduction: == '''Rocky Linux''' is a '''free, open-source, community-driven enterprise Linux distribution''' designed to be a '''downstream, binary-compatible alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)'''. It was created after Red Hat announced that '''CentOS Linux would no longer be a downstream rebuild of RHEL''' (CentOS Stream became upstream). This left a gap for organizations and users who needed a stable, production-grade, lo..."

2025-08-19T10:41:38Z

Created page with "== <big>Introduction:</big> == <big>'''Rocky Linux''' is a '''free, open-source, community-driven enterprise Linux distribution''' designed to be a '''downstream, binary-compatible alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)'''.</big> <big>It was created after Red Hat announced that '''CentOS Linux would no longer be a downstream rebuild of RHEL''' (CentOS Stream became upstream). This left a gap for organizations and users who needed a stable, production-grade, lo..."

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== <big>Introduction:</big> ==

<big>'''Rocky Linux''' is a '''free, open-source, community-driven enterprise Linux distribution''' designed to be a '''downstream, binary-compatible alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)'''.</big>

<big>It was created after Red Hat announced that '''CentOS Linux would no longer be a downstream rebuild of RHEL''' (CentOS Stream became upstream). This left a gap for organizations and users who needed a stable, production-grade, long-term supported OS.</big>

<big>Rocky Linux was founded by '''Gregory Kurtzer''', one of the original co-founders of CentOS.</big>

= Key Features of Rocky Linux: =

# '''<big>RHEL Compatibility</big>'''
#* <big>100% bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL.</big>
#* <big>Can serve as a drop-in replacement for CentOS and RHEL in most environments.</big>
# '''<big>Stability & Enterprise-Grade</big>'''
#* <big>Focuses on long-term support (10 years with security updates).</big>
#* <big>Prioritizes reliability over frequent feature changes.</big>
# '''<big>Community-Driven Governance</big>'''
#* <big>Developed and maintained by the '''Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF)'''.</big>
#* <big>Transparent decision-making and open governance.</big>
# '''<big>Security & Updates</big>'''
#* <big>Regular security patches.</big>
#* <big>Uses '''errata system''' similar to RHEL for tracking updates.</big>
# '''<big>Migration Tools</big>'''
#* <big><code>migrate2rocky</code> script allows seamless migration from CentOS, RHEL, AlmaLinux, or Oracle Linux.</big>
# '''<big>Wide Use Cases</big>'''
#* <big>Enterprise servers, cloud infrastructure, virtualization, web hosting, scientific computing (HPC), and containers.</big>

== <big>Rocky Linux Versions:</big> ==
{| class="wikitable"
!<big>Version</big>
!<big>Release Date</big>
!<big>Based on RHEL</big>
!<big>End of Support</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 8.3</big>
|<big>April 2021</big>
|<big>RHEL 8.3</big>
|<big>May 2029</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 8.4</big>
|<big>June 2021</big>
|<big>RHEL 8.4</big>
|<big>May 2029</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 8.5</big>
|<big>November 2021</big>
|<big>RHEL 8.5</big>
|<big>May 2029</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 9.0</big>
|<big>July 2022</big>
|<big>RHEL 9.0</big>
|<big>May 2032</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 9.1</big>
|<big>November 2022</big>
|<big>RHEL 9.1</big>
|<big>May 2032</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 9.2</big>
|<big>May 2023</big>
|<big>RHEL 9.2</big>
|<big>May 2032</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 9.3</big>
|<big>November 2023</big>
|<big>RHEL 9.3</big>
|<big>May 2032</big>
|-
|<big>Rocky Linux 9.4</big>
|<big>May 2024</big>
|<big>RHEL 9.4</big>
|<big>May 2032</big>
|}
<big>As of '''2025''', the latest stable release is '''Rocky Linux 9.4'''.</big>

== Rocky Linux vs. AlmaLinux vs. CentOS Stream: ==
{| class="wikitable"
!<big>Feature</big>
!<big>Rocky Linux</big>
!<big>AlmaLinux</big>
!<big>CentOS Stream</big>
|-
|<big>Governance</big>
|<big>Community-driven (RESF)</big>
|<big>Community-driven (CloudLinux sponsor)</big>
|<big>Red Hat controlled</big>
|-
|<big>Compatibility</big>
|<big>1:1 RHEL</big>
|<big>1:1 RHEL</big>
|<big>Rolling preview of RHEL</big>
|-
|<big>Best for</big>
|<big>Enterprises, production</big>
|<big>Enterprises, production</big>
|<big>Developers, testing</big>
|-
|<big>Support</big>
|<big>Community, vendors</big>
|<big>Community + CloudLinux</big>
|<big>Red Hat ecosystem</big>
|}
<big>In short: '''Rocky Linux is what CentOS used to be'''—a stable, free, enterprise-grade RHEL clone with long-term support.</big>

== Pages in Category "Rocky Linux" ==

* <big>[[How to install and Configure Rocky Linux 9.4?]]</big>
* <big>[[How to install aaPanel on Rocky Linux 8?]]</big>

Rocky Linux - Revision history