A release candidate for Rocky Linux 8.3 is available for testing, aimed at creating a new free build of RHEL capable of taking the place of classic CentOS, after Red Hat decided to end support for the CentOS 8 branch at the end of 2021 instead of 2029 as initially planned. Rocky Linux builds are prepared for x86_64 and aarch64 architectures.
The distribution is fully binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.3. As with classic CentOS, the changes made to the packages are aimed at removing the branding tied to Red Hat. The project is being developed under the guidance of Gregory Kurtzer, the founder of CentOS. Additionally, a commercial entity, Ctrl IQ, has been established to develop extended products based on Rocky Linux and support the community of developers, receiving $4 million in investment. The Rocky Linux distribution is promised to be developed independently of Ctrl IQ under community management. The project has also been joined by MontaVista, 45Drives, OpenDrives, and Amazon Web Services for development and funding.
As an alternative to the old CentOS, alongside Rocky Linux, the AlmaLinux project is being developed with the support of CloudLinux, with its first stable release already having taken place at the end of March. Oracle Linux is also being promoted as a replacement for CentOS. Additionally, Red Hat has provided the opportunity for free use of RHEL in organizations developing open source software and in environments for individual developers with up to 16 virtual or physical systems.
Source: opennet.ru
