Rocky Linux

Introduction

When CentOS announced its shift from CentOS Linux to CentOS Stream in December 2020, the enterprise Linux community faced an unexpected challenge. Organizations running thousands of CentOS servers suddenly needed an alternative that offered the same stability, compatibility, and long-term support. Enter Rocky Linux – a community-driven solution that emerged from this disruption to provide exactly what businesses needed.

Rocky Linux is a community-driven enterprise operating system designed to be 100% bug-for-bug compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Created by the original founder of CentOS, it aims to provide a stable, production-ready platform for enterprise environments.

Named after CentOS co-founder Rocky McGaugh, this distribution represents more than just a technical solution – it’s a commitment to community governance, transparency, and ensuring free access to enterprise-grade Linux for everyone.

The Story Behind Rocky Linux

From CentOS Crisis to Community Solution

Gregory Kurtzer, who co-founded the original CentOS project in 2004, announced Rocky Linux on December 8, 2020 – just hours after Red Hat’s CentOS Stream announcement. The project quickly gained momentum, attracting thousands of contributors and receiving backing from major technology companies.

The first stable release, Rocky Linux 8.3, arrived in June 2021, demonstrating the community’s ability to rapidly deliver a production-ready enterprise distribution. Since then, Rocky Linux has established itself as a leading RHEL alternative for businesses worldwide.

Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF)

To ensure long-term sustainability and community ownership, the project operates under the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation – a Public Benefit Corporation that guarantees:

• No single entity can control the project
• Community governance through transparent decision-making
• Financial independence from corporate interests
• Commitment to remaining free and open source forever

Key Features

• RHEL Compatibility: 100% binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Community Governance: Truly community-owned and operated
• Long-Term Support: 10-year lifecycle matching RHEL support periods
• Enterprise Focus: Built specifically for production environments
• Free and Open: No licensing fees or restrictions

Target Audience

Rocky Linux is perfect for:

• Organizations migrating from CentOS Linux
• Enterprises requiring RHEL compatibility without costs
• System administrators managing production servers
• Companies needing long-term stable platforms
• Data centers running thousands of servers
• Cloud service providers offering Linux hosting
• Educational institutions with tight budgets
• Government agencies requiring open-source solutions

Enterprise Features

Security and Compliance

• Secure Boot Support: UEFI Secure Boot compatibility
• SELinux: Advanced security framework enabled by default
• FIPS 140-2: Federal cryptographic standards compliance
• Security Updates: Rapid response to CVEs matching RHEL timeline
• Audit Framework: Comprehensive system auditing capabilities

Container and Cloud Technologies

• Container Technologies: Podman, Buildah, and Skopeo included
• Cloud Integration: Support for major cloud platforms
• Kubernetes Ready: Container orchestration platform support
• Cloud Images: Pre-built images for AWS, Azure, GCP, and OpenStack

System Management Tools

• Cockpit: Web-based system administration interface
• Ansible: Automation and configuration management
• Stratis: Advanced storage management
• Firewalld: Dynamic firewall management
• Chrony: NTP time synchronization

Rocky Linux Versions and Release Cycle

Current Releases

• Rocky Linux 9: Based on RHEL 9, supported until May 2032
• Rocky Linux 8: Based on RHEL 8, supported until May 2029

Release Philosophy

Rocky Linux follows RHEL’s release schedule closely:

• Major versions released shortly after RHEL releases
• Minor updates track RHEL point releases
• Security updates released in sync with RHEL advisories
• 10-year support lifecycle for each major version
• No sudden end-of-life announcements

Installation and Getting Started

System Requirements

• Minimum RAM: 1.5 GB (4 GB recommended for GUI)
• Disk Space: 20 GB minimum (50 GB+ recommended)
• Processor: 64-bit x86_64 or ARM64 (aarch64)
• Network: Internet connection for package updates

Installation Methods

DVD/USB Installation

# Download Rocky Linux ISO
wget https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/x86_64/Rocky-9-latest-x86_64-dvd.iso

# Create bootable USB (Linux)
sudo dd if=Rocky-9-latest-x86_64-dvd.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

# Boot from USB and follow installer prompts

Minimal Network Install

# Download minimal ISO (smaller, faster download)
wget https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/x86_64/Rocky-9-latest-x86_64-minimal.iso

# Install only base system, add packages as needed
# Ideal for servers and custom configurations

Cloud Deployment

# AWS - Launch from AMI
aws ec2 run-instances --image-id ami-xxxxxxxxx --instance-type t3.medium

# Azure - Deploy from marketplace
az vm create --resource-group MyRG --name MyVM --image RockyLinux:rocky-9:rocky-9:latest

# Google Cloud - Use official image
gcloud compute instances create my-instance --image-family rocky-linux-9 --image-project rocky-linux-cloud

Package Management

DNF Package Manager

# Update system
sudo dnf update

# Install package
sudo dnf install httpd

# Search for packages
dnf search nginx

# Remove package
sudo dnf remove package-name

# List installed packages
dnf list installed

# Show package info
dnf info postgresql

Repository Management

# List enabled repositories
dnf repolist

# Enable EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux)
sudo dnf install epel-release

# Enable PowerTools/CRB repository
sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled crb

# Add custom repository
sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://example.com/repo

Migrating from CentOS to Rocky Linux

Using migrate2rocky Script

# Download migration script
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rocky-linux/rocky-tools/main/migrate2rocky/migrate2rocky.sh -o migrate2rocky.sh

# Make executable
chmod +x migrate2rocky.sh

# Run migration (backup first!)
sudo ./migrate2rocky.sh -r

# Reboot after migration
sudo reboot

# Verify migration
cat /etc/os-release

Pre-Migration Checklist

• ✓ Backup all critical data
• ✓ Document custom configurations
• ✓ Test migration on non-production system first
• ✓ Verify third-party software compatibility
• ✓ Plan maintenance window for production migration
• ✓ Ensure full system backup before starting

Community and Support

Official Support Channels

Rocky Linux is backed by a strong community and the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, ensuring long-term sustainability and independence from any single vendor.

• Mattermost Chat: Real-time community discussion
• Forums: forums.rockylinux.org for Q&A
• Mailing Lists: Development and user discussions
• Bug Tracker: bugs.rockylinux.org for issue reporting
• IRC: #rockylinux on Libera.Chat

Commercial Support Options

Several companies offer professional support for Rocky Linux:

• CIQ: Professional support and training
• 45Drives: Storage-focused Rocky Linux solutions
• OpenLogic: Enterprise open source support
• Various MSPs: Managed service providers

Rocky Linux vs Alternatives

Rocky Linux vs AlmaLinux

Rocky Linux vs RHEL

• Cost: Rocky is free, RHEL requires subscription
• Support: RHEL has official Red Hat support
• Compatibility: Rocky matches RHEL functionality
• Updates: Rocky slightly delayed (hours/days) after RHEL

Use Cases and Success Stories

Web Hosting Providers

Many hosting companies have migrated thousands of servers from CentOS to Rocky Linux, maintaining service continuity while reducing costs.

Financial Institutions

Banks and financial services leverage Rocky Linux for secure, compliant infrastructure without licensing fees.

Research and Education

Universities and research institutions use Rocky Linux for HPC clusters and computational workloads.

Government Agencies

Government entities worldwide deploy Rocky Linux for transparent, auditable open-source infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between Rocky Linux and Red Hat?

Rocky Linux is completely independent from Red Hat. It rebuilds RHEL from publicly available source code to create a compatible distribution. Red Hat provides the source code, but doesn’t control or endorse Rocky Linux.

How long will Rocky Linux be supported?

Each major version of Rocky Linux receives 10 years of support, matching RHEL’s lifecycle. Rocky Linux 8 is supported until May 2029, and Rocky Linux 9 until May 2032.

Can I migrate from CentOS to Rocky Linux without reinstalling?

Yes, Rocky Linux provides the migrate2rocky script that converts an existing CentOS installation to Rocky Linux in-place. However, always backup before migration and test on non-production systems first.

Is Rocky Linux truly 100% compatible with RHEL?

Yes, Rocky Linux aims for bug-for-bug compatibility with RHEL. Applications and configurations that work on RHEL should work identically on Rocky Linux. Any compatibility issues are considered bugs and fixed promptly.

What’s the difference between Rocky Linux and CentOS Stream?

CentOS Stream is a rolling preview of upcoming RHEL releases – essentially a development branch. Rocky Linux is a stable, production-ready rebuild of current RHEL releases. Stream is for testing, Rocky is for production.

Does Rocky Linux include proprietary software?

Rocky Linux removes any proprietary components from RHEL (like Red Hat branding and subscription management) but includes the same open source software. All code is freely available and modifiable.

How quickly does Rocky Linux release security updates after RHEL?

Rocky Linux typically releases security updates within hours to a few days after RHEL announces them. The delay is minimal and used for testing to ensure update quality and compatibility.

Can I get commercial support for Rocky Linux?

Yes, several companies offer professional support, training, and consulting for Rocky Linux. CIQ, 45Drives, and OpenLogic are among the primary commercial support providers.

Is Rocky Linux suitable for containers and Kubernetes?

Absolutely. Rocky Linux includes Podman, Buildah, Skopeo, and fully supports Kubernetes. It’s widely used as a container host OS and in cloud-native environments.

How is Rocky Linux funded and sustained?

The Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation operates as a Public Benefit Corporation with funding from sponsors, donations, and commercial support partners. This ensures independence from any single vendor while maintaining long-term viability.

Why Choose Rocky Linux?

For Enterprises

Rocky Linux provides enterprise-grade reliability and RHEL compatibility while maintaining complete community ownership. It’s ideal for organizations seeking a stable, long-term enterprise Linux solution.

• Zero licensing costs for unlimited deployments
• 10-year support lifecycle
• RHEL application compatibility
• Strong community backing
• Transparent governance model

For System Administrators

• Familiar RHEL/CentOS environment
• Extensive documentation and resources
• Active community for problem-solving
• Proven stability and reliability
• Career skills transferable to RHEL

For Organizations

• No vendor lock-in concerns
• Community-driven development
• Predictable update schedule
• Professional support available when needed
• Growing ecosystem of tools and integrations

Conclusion

Rocky Linux represents the best of community-driven enterprise Linux. Born from necessity when CentOS changed direction, it has grown into a mature, reliable alternative that serves thousands of organizations worldwide. With its commitment to RHEL compatibility, 10-year support lifecycle, and community governance, Rocky Linux offers enterprises the stability they need without the costs or vendor dependencies of commercial Linux.

Whether you’re migrating from CentOS, looking for a free RHEL alternative, or building new infrastructure, Rocky Linux provides a solid foundation. Its growing community, commercial support options, and proven track record make it an excellent choice for production environments of any scale.