Rocky Linux is a community-driven, enterprise-grade Linux distribution built from the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It emerged as a direct response to Red Hat’s decision to shift focus away from CentOS Linux as a rebuild of RHEL, and instead make CentOS Stream a rolling-release upstream development platform. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
1. History & Origins
- The CentOS Void: In late 2020, Red Hat announced changes to CentOS, effectively ending CentOS Linux as a downstream rebuild of RHEL. This left a significant gap in the market for a free, stable, and enterprise-compatible Linux distribution.
- Gregory Kurtzer & the Community: Gregory Kurtzer, the founder of CentOS, spearheaded the creation of Rocky Linux to fill this void. He rallied a large community of developers and users to build a true, bug-for-bug compatible replacement for RHEL.
- Named After a Pioneer: The distribution is named in honor of Rocky McGaugh, a significant contributor to the CentOS project who passed away in 2016.
- Rocky Linux Foundation: The project is now managed by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF), a community-run organization ensuring its long-term sustainability and independence.
2. Key Features & Characteristics
- Binary Compatible with RHEL: This is the defining feature. Rocky Linux aims for 100% binary compatibility with RHEL. This means applications and software built for RHEL should run on Rocky Linux without modification. This is crucial for organizations wanting a free alternative without needing to re-test or re-compile their software.
- Stability & Reliability: Like RHEL, Rocky Linux prioritizes stability and long-term support. It’s designed for production environments where uptime and predictability are critical.
- Long-Term Support (LTS): Rocky Linux releases are supported for at least 10 years, providing a stable platform for long-term deployments. Currently, Rocky Linux 8 and 9 are the actively supported versions.
- Community-Driven: The project is entirely driven by a passionate and active community of developers, testers, and users. This fosters transparency and responsiveness to user needs.
- Free and Open Source: Rocky Linux is freely available to download and use under the GPL license. There are no subscription costs for the operating system itself.
- Package Management: Uses
dnf(Dandified Yum) as its package manager, inherited from RHEL.dnfis known for its performance and dependency resolution capabilities. - Security Focused: Regular security updates and patches are provided to address vulnerabilities and maintain a secure system.
- Wide Hardware Support: Supports a broad range of hardware architectures, including x86-64, ARM64, and others.
3. Rocky Linux Versions (as of late 2025)
- Rocky Linux 8: Based on RHEL 8. Mature and well-established. Still receiving updates, but nearing its end-of-life (EOL) compared to Rocky 9.
- Rocky Linux 9: Based on RHEL 9. The current major release. Offers the latest features and improvements from RHEL 9. Recommended for new deployments.
- Rocky Linux 10 (recently updated): Based on RHEL 10. Requires x86-64-v3 and supports 64-bit only. This version adds support for RISC-V.
4. Use Cases
- Servers: Rocky Linux is an excellent choice for web servers, database servers, application servers, and other server workloads.
- Cloud Computing: Widely used in cloud environments, including public clouds (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and private clouds.
- Containers: A popular base image for Docker and other container technologies.
- Development Environments: Provides a stable and reliable platform for software development and testing.
- Workstations: Can be used as a desktop operating system, although it’s more commonly deployed on servers.
- Replacing CentOS: The primary use case for many – a direct, free replacement for CentOS Linux.
5. How it Differs from RHEL & CentOS Stream
| Feature | Rocky Linux | Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) | CentOS Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | RHEL Source Code | Original Development | Upstream Development (ahead of RHEL) |
| Compatibility | Binary Compatible with RHEL | The Source | Not Binary Compatible with RHEL |
| Stability | High (LTS) | High (LTS) | Rolling Release (less stable) |
| Cost | Free | Subscription Required | Free |
| Support | Community Support | Red Hat Support | Community Support |
| Release Cycle | Follows RHEL releases | Predictable, Major/Minor Releases | Continuous Delivery |
6. Getting Started & Resources
- Official Website: https://rockylinux.org/
- Download: https://rockylinux.org/download
- Documentation: https://docs.rockylinux.org/
- Community Forums: https://rockylinux.org/community
- GitHub: https://github.com/rockylinux
7. Pros & Cons
Pros
- Free and Open Source: No licensing costs.
- RHEL Compatibility: Seamless migration from RHEL or CentOS.
- Stability & Long-Term Support: Reliable platform for production environments.
- Strong Community: Active and supportive community.
- Security: Regular security updates.
Cons
- Community Support: Support relies on the community, which may not be as responsive as commercial support.
- Potential for Delays: While aiming for 1:1 compatibility, there can sometimes be slight delays in backporting RHEL fixes. (Though the project is very diligent in minimizing these.)
In conclusion
Rocky Linux has quickly become a leading enterprise Linux distribution, providing a viable and compelling alternative to RHEL and CentOS Stream. Its commitment to RHEL compatibility, stability, and community-driven development makes it a popular choice for organizations and individuals seeking a free, reliable, and long-term supported Linux platform. If you’re looking for a drop-in replacement for CentOS Linux or a cost-effective alternative to RHEL, Rocky Linux is definitely worth considering.