CentOS

About

CentOS is a community-supported, free, and open-source operating system originating from the United States. Based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), it aims to provide a free enterprise-class computing platform, striving for 100% binary compatibility with its upstream distribution. As a robust Linux distribution, it supports full-virtualization and paravirtualization operations using Xen and KVM technologies. CentOS enables users to manage PC backups, archiving, create tar files, and handle rsync backups from a centralized platform. It also includes a built-in vpopmail for a virtual mail backend system, storing user and domain configurations with support for PostgreSQL, LDAP, and MySQL. While highly rated at 4.7/5 based on 34 reviews, users praise its stability and support as a cost-effective alternative to RHEL for server deployments. However, some recent feedback notes concerns about slow updates and its evolving role as a "playground for RHEL," impacting its suitability for certain production environments. It is available on Linux and as a Live CD, categorized under Unix, enterprise-os, and ISO tags. As a community project, it does not have a traditional CEO, executive team, or employee count, nor does it generate revenue, being entirely free and open source. Its primary competitor is Red Hat Enterprise Linux.