Centos vs Oracle Linux: What are the differences?
Key Differences Between Centos and Oracle Linux
CentOS and Oracle Linux are both popular Linux distributions that are widely used for server deployments. While they share some similarities, there are several key differences that set them apart.
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Vendor Support: One of the main differences between CentOS and Oracle Linux lies in the level of support provided by the vendors. CentOS is a community-driven project with no official support from a particular vendor. On the other hand, Oracle Linux is backed by Oracle Corporation, which provides technical support and additional enterprise-focused features.
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Package Management: CentOS uses the YUM (Yellowdog Updater Modified) package management system to install, update, and remove software packages. In contrast, Oracle Linux utilizes the Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN) for package management, which is specifically designed for Oracle Linux and provides access to additional packages and patches.
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Kernel Optimizations: Oracle Linux includes kernel optimizations and enhancements that are specifically tailored for running Oracle software and workloads. These optimizations can result in improved performance and stability when running Oracle applications. CentOS, being a general-purpose distribution, does not have such specific optimizations for Oracle workloads.
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System Certification: Oracle Linux is designed to be highly compatible and certified with Oracle software and hardware products. Oracle provides a rigorous certification program that ensures compatibility and support for Oracle applications, databases, and hardware. CentOS, being a community-supported distribution, does not have the same level of certification and compatibility with Oracle products.
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Availability of Additional Tools: Oracle Linux offers additional tools and technologies that are specific to Oracle products and environments. For example, Oracle Linux includes the Oracle Clusterware, an integrated cluster management solution for high availability. CentOS does not include these specialized tools and technologies by default.
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License Agreements: CentOS is an open-source distribution that is available under the GNU General Public License (GPL). On the other hand, Oracle Linux comes with its own proprietary license agreements that may have different terms and conditions compared to CentOS.
In summary, CentOS is a community-driven, general-purpose Linux distribution with no official vendor support, while Oracle Linux is backed by Oracle Corporation, providing vendor support, package management tailored for Oracle workloads, kernel optimizations, system certification, additional tools, and specific license agreements.