The Red Hat extended family
Alternatives and Derivatives
Besides the Workstation and Server editions, Fedora also offers spins – images with a desktop environment other than Gnome, such as Cinnamon, Plasma, or Xfce [9]. Also available from the download page are Labs, or images for specific purposes, such as neuroscience or games, or Alternatives for testing or different architectures [10].
In addition, two dozen Fedora and RHEL derivatives also exist, often overlapping and derived from both [11]. Some, like VzLinux, Springdale Linux, and Oracle Linux, are built from RHEL source packages, like CentOS and its successors. Other Fedora derivatives include Network Security Toolkit (NST): Berry Linux, which is the Fedora equivalent of KNOPPIX and useful as a live rescue disk, and Ultramarine Linux, which includes enhancements not found in Fedora, ranging from alternative desktops to proprietary sound codecs. Perhaps the most interesting is Qube OS, which assigns applications to security domains that are listed and color-coded in the desktop menu. The result is an easy-to-use secure system, but at least 16MB of RAM is needed because of the additional overhead.
Which to Choose
If you think that these descriptions emphasize open source politics and preferences, you are right. The codebase in most of these distributions is much the same, although both AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are already showing signs of differentiating themselves. For this reason, deciding which distribution to use is likely to be based on other factors. A single user who wants to follow the latest developments in Linux might prefer Fedora, while a corporate user might prefer CentOS Stream for the latest innovations with more testing. Similarly, a traditionally minded corporate user might prefer RHEL's behavior, while AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux appeal equally to both home users and corporate users who prefer a more community-oriented approach than Red Hat has chosen. For the time being, for many, such considerations may be more important than any technical considerations.
Infos
- Fedora: https://getfedora.org/
- RHEL: https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux
- Red Hat supported projects: https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Red_Hat_contributions
- Red Hat growth: https://techcrunch.com/2021/10/21/red-hat-continues-to-grow-but-ibms-struggles-continue/
- CentOS: https://centos.org/
- CentOS Stream: https://www.centos.org/centos-stream/
- AlmaLinux: https://almalinux.org/
- Rocky Linux: https://rockylinux.org/
- Fedora Spins: https://spins.fedoraproject.org/
- Fedora variations: https://getfedora.org/
- Fedora derivatives: https://distrowatch.com/search.php?ostype=All&category=All&origin=All&basedon=Fedora¬basedon=None&desktop=All&architecture=All&package=All&rolling=All&isosize=All&netinstall=All&language=All&defaultinit=All&status=Active#simple
« Previous 1 2 3
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
So Long Neofetch and Thanks for the Info
Today is a day that every Linux user who enjoys bragging about their system(s) will mourn, as Neofetch has come to an end.
-
Ubuntu 24.04 Comes with a “Flaw"
If you're thinking you might want to upgrade from your current Ubuntu release to the latest, there's something you might want to consider before doing so.
-
Canonical Releases Ubuntu 24.04
After a brief pause because of the XZ vulnerability, Ubuntu 24.04 is now available for install.
-
Linux Servers Targeted by Akira Ransomware
A group of bad actors who have already extorted $42 million have their sights set on the Linux platform.
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.