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  5. Arch Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Arch Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux

OverviewDecisionsComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Arch Linux
Arch Linux
Stacks562
Followers555
Votes108
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Stacks355
Followers236
Votes3

Arch Linux vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux: What are the differences?

# Introduction
Arch Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) are two widely used Linux distributions known for their distinct features and target audiences. Understanding their key differences can help users make informed decisions when choosing a Linux distribution for their specific needs.

1. **Package Management System**: Arch Linux uses a rolling-release model, which means users have access to the latest software updates immediately after they are released. In contrast, RHEL follows a stable-release model with long-term support, emphasizing stability and predictability over having the latest features.
   
2. **Community Involvement**: Arch Linux is a community-driven distribution, relying on community contributions for software packages, documentation, and support. On the other hand, RHEL is developed and supported by Red Hat Inc., a commercial entity that provides enterprise-level support and services to customers.
   
3. **Target Audience**: Arch Linux caters to more experienced users and enthusiasts who prefer minimalism, customization, and hands-on system configuration. In contrast, RHEL targets enterprise users and businesses seeking a stable and secure operating system with professional support and services.
   
4. **Licensing**: Arch Linux is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and follows a strictly open-source philosophy. RHEL, while primarily open source, includes proprietary components and is available under a subscription-based model, offering additional features and support options.
   
5. **Release Cycle**: Arch Linux does not have fixed release schedules or version numbers, ensuring a continuous flow of updates and improvements. In contrast, RHEL follows a more structured release cycle with major version updates every few years, allowing for planned upgrades and long-term support.
   
6. **Installation Process**: Arch Linux provides a minimalist installation process that requires users to manually configure the system components, promoting a deeper understanding of the Linux environment. On the other hand, RHEL offers a more guided installation process with advanced features for server installations, making it easier for enterprise users to set up their systems quickly and efficiently.

In Summary, Arch Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux differ in their package management systems, community involvement, target audience, licensing, release cycles, and installation processes, catering to distinct user preferences and requirements.

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Advice on Arch Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

Simon
Simon

Developer Advocate at k6 / Load Impact

Mar 7, 2020

Decided

At the moment of the decision, my desktop was the primary place I did work. Due to this, I can't have it blow up on me while I work. While Arch is interesting and powerful, Ubuntu offers (at least for me) a lot more stability and lets me focus on other things than maintaining my own OS installation.

299k views299k
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Detailed Comparison

Arch Linux
Arch Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

A lightweight and flexible Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux is the industry-leading Linux that provides the foundation for next-generation architectures, with support for all major hardware platforms and thousands of commercial and custom applications.

Statistics
Stacks
562
Stacks
355
Followers
555
Followers
236
Votes
108
Votes
3
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 17
    Large Community
  • 15
    Package Manager
  • 13
    Customizable
  • 12
    Rolling Release
  • 11
    Bleeding Edge
Cons
  • 4
    Systemd only
  • 3
    Only X86_64 architecture is offically supported
  • 1
    Comparatively fewer offically supported packages
  • 1
    Unstable
  • 1
    System maintenance
Pros
  • 1
    Well known
  • 1
    Paid sense of security
  • 1
    Learning curve
Cons
  • 1
    Packages have huge dependency trees
  • 1
    Glibc based with many complicated hacks
  • 1
    Subcription fees
  • 1
    Tools and package manager change over time
  • 1
    Default Install is lvm

What are some alternatives to Arch Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)?

Ubuntu

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning ‘humanity to others’. It also means ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers.

Debian

Debian

Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel or the FreeBSD kernel. Linux is a piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. FreeBSD is an operating system including a kernel and other software.

Fedora

Fedora

Fedora is a Linux-based operating system that provides users with access to the latest free and open source software, in a stable, secure and easy to manage form. Fedora is the largest of many free software creations of the Fedora Project. Because of its predominance, the word "Fedora" is often used interchangeably to mean both the Fedora Project and the Fedora operating system.

Linux Mint

Linux Mint

The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use.

CentOS

CentOS

The CentOS Project is a community-driven free software effort focused on delivering a robust open source ecosystem. For users, we offer a consistent manageable platform that suits a wide variety of deployments. For open source communities, we offer a solid, predictable base to build upon, along with extensive resources to build, test, release, and maintain their code.

Linux

Linux

A clone of the operating system Unix, written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net. It aims towards POSIX and Single UNIX Specification compliance.

CoreOS

CoreOS

It is designed for security, consistency, and reliability. Instead of installing packages via yum or apt, it uses Linux containers to manage your services at a higher level of abstraction. A single service's code and all dependencies are packaged within a container that can be run on one or many machines.

Gentoo Linux

Gentoo Linux

It is a free operating system based on either Linux or FreeBSD that can be automatically optimized and customized for just about any application or need.

Alpine Linux

Alpine Linux

Alpine Linux is a security-oriented, lightweight Linux distribution based on musl libc and busybox.

Manjaro

Manjaro

It is an accessible, friendly, open-source Linux distribution and community. Based on Arch Linux, it provides all the benefits of cutting-edge software combined with a focus on getting started quickly, automated tools to require less manual intervention, and help readily available when needed.

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