CentOS

CentOS is an open source free GNU Linux distribution which aims to be 100% compatible with and based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

This product is derived from the Free/Open Source Software made available by Red Hat, Inc but IS NOT produced, maintained or supported by Red Hat. Specifically, this product is forked from the source code for Red Hat's 3 product under the terms and conditions of its EULA and the GPL.

The GPL grants the recipients of a computer program the following rights, or "freedoms":

The freedom to run the program, for any purpose.
The freedom to study how the program works, and modify it.
The freedom to redistribute copies.
The freedom to improve the program, and release the improvements.

See GNU or GNU General Public License for more information on copyright issues related to Linux products such as Red Hat or CentOS.

Other Linux distribution based on Red Hat include Mandrakelinux and Fedora Core.

History

Back in the end of 2003 a first version of CentOS 3, build4-rc0 was launched CentOS 3build4-rc0.

CentOS-2 family

On 14 May 2004 CentOS 2 was finally released this version is based on the older Red Hat Enterprise Linux

product version 2.1 CentOS 2.

CentOS-3 family

In the beginning of 2004 on 19 March, CentOS 3.1 (version 3 quarterly update 1) was launched CentOS 3.1.

CentOS version 3.3 (version 3 quarterly update 3), was released for i386 and AMD64 on September 18 2004 CentOS 3.3.

As you can see there exists no CentOS 3.2 (version 3 quarterly update 2) version no CentOS 3.2.

On 10 January 2005 a new CentOS 3.4 for i386 version (version 3 quarterly update 4) was officially released together

with a new CentOS 3.4 single server CD for i386 version.

On 13 February 2005 a version of CentOS 3.4 (Final) for the ia64 architecture CentOS 3.4 for ia64 was released.

On 13 February 2005 a version of CentOS 3.4 (Final) for the s390 architecture CentOS 3.4 for s390 was released.

On 13 February 2005 a version of CentOS 3.4 (Final) for the s390x architecture CentOS 3.4 for s390x was released.

CentOS-4 family

The new CentOS 4.0 is based on the latest Red Hat Enterprise Linux product version 4.

On 1 March 2005 a new version was released Centos 4.0 CentOS 4.0 for i386

On the same date, 1 march 2005 another version of CentOS 4.0 was launched CentOS 4.0 for ia64

More than a week later, 9 march 2005 the final version of CentOS 4.0 for x86_64 was launched CentOS 4.0 for x86_64

Architectures

CentOS supports different (nearly) all the same architectures as the original Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Intel x86-compatible (32bit).
Intel Itanium (64bit).
Advanced Micro Devices AMD64 (64bit) and Intel EM64T.
Power PC/32 (Apple Macintosh PowerMac running the G3 or G4 PowerPC processor).
IBM Mainframe (eServer zSeries and S/390).

Betas

On 6 February 2005 a new PPC Beta version of CentOS-4 CentOS-4 Beta PPC was announced.

There work in progress going on CentOS 4.0.rc1 s390(x) and PowerPC are in the build process.

External links

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