Rocky Linux

Overview

Rocky Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution developed by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF) as a binary-compatible downstream replacement for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), built from the RHEL source code. It succeeds CentOS Linux, which was discontinued due to Red Hat's end-of-support, and provides an enterprise-grade, community-driven operating system with an emphasis on stability, security, and long-term support. Rocky Linux supports x86_64, ARM64 (aarch64), PowerPC (ppc64le), IBM Z (s390x), and RISC-V (riscv64) architectures, making it suitable for servers, desktops, cloud environments, and high-performance computing (HPC). The default desktop environment is GNOME 40 (Workstation Edition), which uses DNF/YUM package management and comes pre-installed with enterprise-grade and development tools.

Versions:

• Rocky Linux 8: Based on RHEL 8, supported until May 2029. - Rocky Linux 9: Based on RHEL 9, released in July 2022, supported until May 2032.
• Rocky Linux 10: Based on RHEL 10, released in June 2025, codenamed "Red Quartz," supported until May 2035, with added RISC-V support.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • December 8, 2020: Red Hat announced the end of CentOS Linux (a production-grade RHEL clone) and transitioned it to the rolling-release CentOS Stream, leading to a demand for a stable alternative for enterprise users.
  • December 2020: CentOS co-founder Gregory Kurtzer launched the Rocky Linux project in memory of CentOS co-founder Rocky McGaugh, with the goal of restoring CentOS's enterprise-grade stability and binary compatibility.
  • December 12, 2020: The Rocky Linux repository became the most popular repository on GitHub.
• Development History:
  • April 30, 2021: Release of the first release candidate (8.3 RC1).
  • June 21, 2021: Release of the stable version Rocky Linux 8.4 (codenamed "Green Obsidian"), fully compatible with RHEL 8.4.
  • July 14, 2022: Release of Rocky Linux 9.0, introducing the Peridot build system for reproducible builds and adding support for PowerPC and IBM Z.
  • June 11, 2025: Release of Rocky Linux 10.0 ("Red Quartz"), with RISC-V support and optimizations for cloud and containers.
• Community and Support:
  • Managed by the RESF (a non-profit organization) and sponsored by Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure, VMware, and others. - Commercial support is provided by CIQ (founded by Kurtzer), OpenLogic, and Montavista.
  • The community is active on GitHub (github.com/rocky-linux), forums (forums.rockylinux.org), and Mattermost.
  • A Reddit user called Rocky Linux "the best CentOS alternative, with an easy migration."
• Open Source License:
  • The core is licensed under the 3-Clause BSD license, with some packages licensed under the GPL or other licenses.

Key Features

Rocky Linux is built with enterprise-grade stability, RHEL compatibility, and a community-driven approach, making it suitable for servers, cloud, and desktops. Here are its key features:

1. RHEL Binary Compatibility
   • 100% bug-for-bug compatibility with RHEL; RHEL software runs unmodified.
2. Enterprise-Grade Stability
   • 10-year support cycle (Rocky 8 to 2029, Rocky 9 to 2032, Rocky 10 to 2035).
   • Monthly security updates, following the RHEL release cycle (minor releases every six months, May/November).
3. Flexible Deployment Options
   • Server (minimal installation), Workstation (GNOME desktop), Minimal (base system), Cloud, and Live images available.
   • Support for containerization (Docker, Podman) and cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
4. Security and Compliance
   • Support for OpenSSL 3.0.1 and OpenSSH 8.7, with PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and DISA compliance by default.
5. Community-Driven with Peridot Builds
   • The open-source Peridot build system supports custom RHEL clones, ensuring reproducible builds for the community.
6. Broad Hardware Support
   • Supports x86_64, ARM64, PowerPC, IBM Z, and RISC-V, and is compatible with Raspberry Pi and HPC environments.
   • Minimum requirements: 1 GB RAM, 10 GB storage (4 GB RAM, 20 GB storage recommended).

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• RHEL Compatibility:
  • 100% binary compatibility, no modifications required for migration to CentOS.
  • Post X states, "The Rocky Linux migration script makes CentOS transition seamless."
• Long-Term Support:
  • 10-year support cycle, suitable for enterprise servers.
• Community-Driven:
  • Supported by RESF and sponsors (Google, AWS, Microsoft), with an active community.
• Multi-Architecture Support:
  • Covers x86_64, ARM64, and RISC-V.
• Free and Open Source:
  • 3-Clause BSD license, no subscription fees.

Limitations

• New Ecosystem:
  • Launched in 2021, with less documentation and community experience than Debian or Slackware.
• Missing Features:
  • No RHEL-specific features (e.g., kpatch live kernel patching, Red Hat Satellite).
  • Solution: Use third-party services (e.g., CIQ) or alternative tools.
• Update Speed:
  • Minor version releases lag behind RHEL (e.g., Rocky 9 was 58 days behind RHEL 9), slower than AlmaLinux.
• SecureBoot Limitations:
  • SecureBoot is not supported; BIOS/UEFI settings must be disabled.

Summary

Rocky Linux is a free, open-source, enterprise-grade Linux distribution based on RHEL source code, 100% binary compatible, and developed by RESF. It is the successor to CentOS Linux. The latest version, 10.0 (June 2025), supports x86_64, ARM64, RISC-V, and more. It runs Linux kernel 6.9 and GNOME 40, and offers 10 years of support (until 2035). Rocky Linux prioritizes stability, security, and community-driven development, making it suitable for servers, cloud, HPC, and desktops. It is compatible with RHEL software and supports containerization and migration scripts. While Rocky Linux stands out for its enterprise-grade features and long-term support, it suffers from limited documentation and lacks RHEL-specific features.