Red Hat vs. Rocky Linux

Attribute	Red Hat	Rocky Linux
Company	Red Hat, Inc.	Rocky Linux Foundation
Origin	United States	United States
License	Various (mostly GNU GPL)	GNU GPL
Support	Commercial support available	Community support
Release Cycle	Regular releases	Regular releases

Introduction

Red Hat and Rocky Linux are two popular Linux distributions that are widely used in the industry. Both have their own unique features and advantages that cater to different needs of users. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Red Hat and Rocky Linux to help you decide which one is the best fit for your requirements.

History

Red Hat is one of the oldest and most well-established Linux distributions in the market. It was founded in 1993 and has since become a leading provider of open-source solutions for enterprises. On the other hand, Rocky Linux is a relatively new distribution that was created in response to the discontinuation of CentOS by Red Hat. It was launched in 2020 by the original founder of CentOS, Gregory Kurtzer, with the aim of providing a free, community-supported alternative to CentOS users.

Support and Maintenance

One of the key differences between Red Hat and Rocky Linux is the level of support and maintenance they offer. Red Hat provides commercial support to its customers through its Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) subscription, which includes access to technical support, security updates, and patches. In contrast, Rocky Linux is a community-driven project that relies on volunteers for support and maintenance. While Rocky Linux does not offer commercial support, it does provide regular updates and security patches to its users.

Enterprise Features

Red Hat is known for its robust enterprise features that cater to the needs of large organizations. It offers advanced security features, such as SELinux, as well as tools for managing large-scale deployments, such as Red Hat Satellite. Additionally, Red Hat has partnerships with major hardware and software vendors, which ensures compatibility and support for a wide range of applications. On the other hand, Rocky Linux aims to provide a stable and reliable platform for users who do not require the advanced features and support offered by Red Hat.

Package Management

Both Red Hat and Rocky Linux use the RPM package manager for managing software packages. However, Red Hat has its own package management system called YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified), which is used to install, update, and remove packages on RHEL systems. Rocky Linux, on the other hand, uses DNF (Dandified YUM) as its default package manager, which is a modernized version of YUM with additional features and improvements. While both package managers are similar in functionality, DNF is considered to be more user-friendly and efficient.

Community and Ecosystem

Red Hat has a large and active community of users, developers, and contributors who collaborate on various open-source projects. It also has a strong ecosystem of third-party vendors and partners who provide additional tools and services for Red Hat products. In comparison, Rocky Linux is a community-driven project that relies on the contributions of volunteers to develop and maintain the distribution. While Rocky Linux may not have the same level of resources and support as Red Hat, it has a dedicated community that is committed to the success of the project.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Red Hat and Rocky Linux are solid choices for users looking for a stable and reliable Linux distribution. Red Hat is well-suited for enterprise users who require commercial support and advanced features, while Rocky Linux is a great option for users who prefer a community-supported distribution with regular updates and security patches. Ultimately, the choice between Red Hat and Rocky Linux will depend on your specific requirements and preferences. We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision on which distribution is the best fit for your needs.