CentOS
Background/History
CentOS (Community Enterprise Operating System) is built from the Red Hat EnterpriseTM source code tree, is binary compatible with RHEL, and conforms with Red Hat's redistribution policies. Non-free packages, including those encumbered with non-redistributable copyright or trademarks are altered. This is mainly to remove Red Hat's branding or artwork. CentOS distribution versions 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 parallel Red Hat's Enterprise Linux distributions.
Key Features
Greg Kurtzer, the foundation head said: "For CentOS, we track the Red Hat updates as closely and quickly as possible. Typically we release our updates within hours of Red Hat's, but we publicize a 24-hour lead time. We have multiple people that have access to update the mirrors, so the team itself has the capability to consistently release updates quickly"
Target Audience
Anyone requiring an enterprise class computing platform.
Strength/Weakness
- Suitable for long term use in production environments
- Slow release cycles. Long support cycles
- RHEL 4.0 released 14 February, 2005. CentOS 4.0 released March 2, 2005
- Enterprise stability but without enterprise level of support and cost re Red Hat
- Support available via an active forum on the web site
Web site
www.centos.org
online forums
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