RHEL vs CentOS: Which One Is Right for You?
Are you in the market for new servers? With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to determine which one is the right fit for your business. In this blog post, we'll be comparing two popular Linux-based servers: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and CentOS.
What Is RHEL?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux, often referred to as RHEL, is a commercial Linux operating system developed by Red Hat. It's designed for enterprise-level businesses and comes with advanced security and management features, support, and a variety of tools and applications.
What Is CentOS?
CentOS is a free and open-source Linux distribution that's based on the same source code as RHEL. However, it's community-supported rather than commercially supported. This means that it doesn't come with the same support and management features as RHEL.
Now, let's dive into the key differences between the two:
Support
One of the most significant differences between RHEL and CentOS is support. RHEL is a commercial product, which means it comes with official support from Red Hat. This includes regular security updates, bug fixes, and technical support. In contrast, CentOS is community-supported, which means that while it has a strong community and plenty of online resources, it does not come with official support from a company.
Cost
Another significant difference between the two is cost. RHEL is a commercial product that requires a license for usage. Pricing is based on a variety of factors, including the number of servers, the level of support, and the length of the subscription. On the other hand, CentOS is a free and open-source product, which can make it a more attractive option for businesses with tight budgets.
Updates
Both RHEL and CentOS receive regular updates, including security patches and bug fixes. However, RHEL typically receives these updates before they're released to CentOS. This is because the codebase for CentOS is based on RHEL, and the developers need time to test and recompile each update before it can be released to the community.
Features
In terms of features, RHEL and CentOS are fairly similar, as they're based on the same codebase. Both come with a wide range of tools and applications, including support for virtualization and containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.
Conclusion
So, which one is right for you? Ultimately, the answer depends on your specific needs and business requirements. If you're looking for a commercially supported product with advanced management tools and security features, RHEL may be the way to go. However, if you're on a tight budget and don't need the same level of support, CentOS may be the better option.
Regardless of which one you choose, both RHEL and CentOS are excellent choices for enterprise-level businesses that require a robust and reliable operating system.