Centos is a community-supported operating system that maintains binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It provides a free enterprise computing platform and is managed through the yum package manager for updates. Centos supports various processor architectures including x86, x86-64, and PowerPC. It has a history of being developed based on Red Hat Linux source code to create a free alternative with commercial support available through partners. The goals of Centos include long-term usability, maintenance, and community development.

1. CENTOS OPERATING SYSTEM

2. Centos is a community-supported, mainly free software operating system based on Red Hot Enterprise Linux. It exists to provide a free enterprise class computing platform and strives to maintain 100% binary compatibility with its upstream distribution. Centos stands for C ommunity Enterprise O perating S ystem.

3. Centos stands for C ommunity Enterprise O perating S ystem.

4. EXAMPLE OF Centos O/S .

5. How can user get Updates? Centos is managed through an application called yum which is a recommended tool for performing updates and package installation. What architectures does Centos Support? Centos 2 works with x86 only. Centos 3 works with x86, x86_64 (AMD64 and Intel EM64T), s390, s390x, ia64 (Intel Itanium2). Centos 4 works with x86, x86_64, s390, s390x and ia64. pap (PowerPC), alpha (DEC Alpha) and spark are released in beta for Centos 4. Centos 5 works with x86 and x86_64. ia64, pap (PowerPC) and spark are being developed.

6. What kernels are available with Centos? kernel: Normal kernel that supports both UP and SMP machines. kernel-PAE: Only x86 CPUs that work with Physical Address Extensions can run this kernel. kernel-oxen: Linux kernel compiled with PAE support works on the Oxen hyper visor, for both privileged (dom0) and unprivileged (dome) domains.

7. HISTORY OF Centos O/S

8. Centos, which stands for C ommunity En terprise O perating S ystem, is the result of a group of open source contributors and users working together to develop Linux solutions that are freely available to users who do not require a great deal of commercial support to achieve their goals. Centos dedicated servers were designed based on Red Hat's product, Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Although the Red Hat Linux server is made entirely of free and open source software, it is only distributed to the public in binary form (including CD-ROM and DVD-ROM) at a fee paid by subscribers.

9. However, Red Hat does release its source code for its product under the terms of the GNU General Public License, so the use of the code for the creation of the Centos Linux distribution is an entirely valid and acceptable practice. The distribution of Centos products completely complies with Red Hat's redistribution policy. The Centos server is almost identical to the Red Hat product except that it is modified to remove all Red Hat branding and artwork. Centos and its Linux solutions are not in any way affiliated with or supported by Red Hat, Inc.

10. GOALS OF Centos OPERATING SYSTEM: Creating solutions that are easily maintained. Usable for the long-term in production environments. A user and package maintainer friendly environment. Supporting the core for the long-term. Actively working toward the development of additional solutions. A strong community infrastructure. An open management policy. An open business model. Commercial support through its partner vendors, like Vault Networks.

11. The following architectures are complete and releases as final: Centos 4.3 i386 Single Servers Centos 4.4 i386 Centos 4.3 IA64 Centos 4.4 i386 Lived Centos 4.2 s390 Centos 4.4 x86_64 Centos 4.2 s390x Centos 4.2 for Alpha