Rocky Linux OS

Rocky Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution that is a community-driven, enterprise-grade operating system. It is designed to be a downstream build of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), providing a stable and secure platform for servers, desktops, and other enterprise environments. Rocky Linux emerged as a successor to CentOS after CentOS shifted focus to CentOS Stream, which caused a gap for users seeking a RHEL-compatible distribution with a traditional release model.

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Key Features

1. Enterprise-Grade Stability:
   • Rocky Linux offers long-term support and reliability, making it suitable for enterprise environments and production workloads.
2. RHEL Compatibility:
   • It is built to be binary-compatible with RHEL, ensuring that applications and tools designed for RHEL work seamlessly with Rocky Linux.
3. Open-Source and Community-Driven:
   • Governed by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF), Rocky Linux is developed by a community of contributors and is free to use without licensing fees.
4. Frequent Updates and Security Patches:
   • Regular updates ensure that Rocky Linux remains secure and up-to-date with the latest software packages.
5. Wide Range of Use Cases:
   • Ideal for servers, virtualization, cloud computing, containers, development, and desktop environments.
6. Enterprise Ecosystem Support:
   • Compatible with tools like cPanel, Plesk, Ansible, Kubernetes, Docker, and various cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).

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Why Choose Rocky Linux OS?

1. CentOS Replacement:
   • Rocky Linux fills the void left by CentOS’s shift to CentOS Stream, offering a more traditional RHEL-compatible release model.
2. Stability and Security:
   • It is a solid choice for businesses looking for a free, stable operating system with robust security features.
3. No Vendor Lock-In:
   • Rocky Linux is fully open-source and independent of any corporate control, reducing concerns about sudden changes in direction.
4. Large Community Support:
   • Backed by an active community, users can rely on forums, documentation, and other resources for troubleshooting and guidance.

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Installation

1. Download the ISO:
   • Visit the RockyLinux official website to download the appropriate ISO for your system (Minimal, DVD, or Boot ISO).
2. Prepare Installation Media:
   • Use tools like Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (Linux/macOS) to create a bootable USB drive with the downloaded ISO.
3. Install Rocky Linux:
   • Boot from the installation media and follow the installation wizard:
     • Choose installation language.
     • Configure disk partitioning (automatic or manual).
     • Set up user accounts and root password.
     • Select software (minimal installation, server with GUI, etc.).
4. Post-Installation Setup:
   • Update the system:bashCopy codesudo dnf update -y
   • Install additional software or enable repositories as needed.

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System Requirements for Rockylinux

• Minimal Requirements:
  • 2 GB RAM
  • 20 GB disk space
  • 2 GHz dual-core processor
• Recommended Requirements:
  • 4+ GB RAM
  • 50+ GB disk space
  • Multi-core processor

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Popular Use Cases

1. Web Servers:
   • Hosting web applications with tools like Apache, Nginx, PHP, and databases (MariaDB/MySQL).
2. Virtualization:
   • Running virtual machines using KVM or containerized environments with Docker and Kubernetes.
3. Development and Testing:
   • A stable platform for development environments, CI/CD pipelines, and testing.
4. Enterprise Applications:
   • Hosting ERP, CRM, and other enterprise software solutions.
5. Cloud Deployment:
   • Deployable on major cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud with official Rocky Linux images.

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Comparison with Similar Distributions

Feature	Rocky Linux	AlmaLinux	CentOS Stream
Focus	Stability	Stability	Development Stream
Release Model	RHEL Clone	RHEL Clone	Pre-RHEL Updates
Support	Community-Driven	Community-Driven	Red Hat Backed
Compatibility	Full RHEL Binary	Full RHEL Binary	Upstream of RHEL
Updates	Regular and Stable	Regular and Stable	Frequent Changes

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Community and Support

• Forums and Discussions:
  • Engage with the linux community on forums or join the official Slack workspace.
• Documentation:
  • Comprehensive guides are available in the Linux Documentation.
• Commercial Support:
  • Several third-party vendors offer professional support for businesses using Rockylinux.

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Rocky Linux has quickly established itself as a reliable and trusted platform for enterprises, developers, and system administrators, offering a secure and stable alternative to CentOS.