CentOS Linux Management Compared to Red Hat Enterprise Linux

CentOS Linux 7 is riding off into the sunset, and if you’re a sysadmin you’re probably wondering how that changes your day to day. I spent years as a CentOS and RHEL administrator, so in this comparison I answer the question I get most often: what new commands and muscle memory do I have to retrain? The honest answer is, not much, but there’s a lot you gain.

A few things worth carrying away from this one:

• The subscription is easier than you think. Simple Content Access and activation keys mean you register systems with an org ID and a key instead of typing portal credentials into every server. Same muscle memory, less friction.
• With free Linux, you are the support line. I spent years scouring Stack Exchange threads at 2 AM. The hidden cost of free Linux is your time, energy, and patience. Real support gives that back.
• The ecosystem is the real difference. Image Builder for golden images, Red Hat Insights included in your subscription, Satellite for life cycle management, and Ansible Automation Platform for the mundane, error-prone tasks. That’s what changes the job for the better.

Sometimes I wish I could send a few RHEL subscriptions back in time to past Eric. This comparison is my attempt to do that for you.