I have never quite understood the differences between RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu, and Fedora. After some research, I have organized the information here for reference.
The most concerning points are:
1. CentOS is the free version based on RHEL;
2. Ubuntu is suitable for desktop applications, while RHEL is suitable for enterprise applications.
1. Differences Between RedHat and Ubuntu:
The biggest difference between these two lies in their package management models, both of which are based on the Linux core architecture.
REDHAT primarily focuses on producing enterprise server versions and is the most successful company in promoting the commercialization of Linux. The desktop version corresponding to REDHAT is developed by the Fedora community.
Ubuntu desktop is user-friendly and suitable for beginners, making it the top choice for desktop users. RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is suitable for enterprises, with outstanding stability and compatibility reflected in its use of mature libraries and kernels in each version. It has also been pre-tested with some large EDA software, such as Cadence, making it more suitable for servers and workstations. However, it is not suitable for personal desktops because without purchasing a license, users cannot enjoy rich updates. Additionally, due to its conservative approach to kernels and libraries, it struggles to keep up with the pace of Linux development, making it difficult to install many entertainment applications. CentOS is similar to RHEL. Ubuntu, based on Debian, primarily uses the GNOME desktop environment and is currently the most popular Linux desktop for personal use. Its advantages include very simple configuration; once the system is installed, as long as the hardware is not too new, no further configuration is usually needed, and the hardware can be recognized and drivers installed automatically. Its APT update source servers contain a wealth of software, and with a single command, users can automatically download and install the required software from the network. Ubuntu is easy to install, and can even be installed on a Windows partition using Wubi. Ubuntu also has many derivative versions, including Kubuntu (which uses KDE for a more glamorous interface), Xubuntu (which uses XFCE and has lower hardware requirements), and Edubuntu (aimed at children and education), allowing users to choose based on their needs, preferences, and hardware configurations. The Linux kernels are quite similar. The biggest difference between these two is in their package management models. Ubuntu is based on Debian, which pioneered the package management method with the .deb package to manage Linux programs. If you have a bit of experience with Ubuntu, you should know that .deb automatically analyzes dependencies and strives to acquire all dependent packages. Before Debian, there was no such double-click install program for Linux packages; everything relied on compilation, which could easily lead to package traps and confusion. After Debian, Red Hat was inspired to create its own package management model called RPM. It serves a similar purpose to .deb management but feels more straightforward to use and is not as user-friendly as .deb. Ubuntu has greatly utilized the vibrant network community to enrich its software sources based on Debian. Most software installations can be completed with a simple command: `apt-get install`. In terms of usage, Red Hat is a stable and straightforward Linux suitable for servers; in terms of commands, Linux commands are consistent, and basic shell statements will not differ. However, commands like RPM in Red Hat and APT-GET in Ubuntu are not interchangeable. In terms of usage, Red Hat is a stable and straightforward Linux, very suitable for servers, while Ubuntu is a powerful and vibrant Linux aimed at desktop applications. Of course, as Linux, server applications are not weak either.
2. Comparison of Different Linux Versions (RedHat, Debian, Ubuntu, Gentoo, FreeBSD)
Linux was first written by Linus Benedict Torvalds in 1991. Before that, Richard Stallman created the Free Software Foundation (FSF) and the GNU project, continuously writing and creating GNU programs (all of which are licensed under GPL: General Public License). With many outstanding programmers and developers joining the GNU organization, we have the Linux we see today, also known as GNU/Linux.
Linux distributions can be broadly divided into two categories: those maintained by commercial companies and those maintained by community organizations. The former is represented by the famous Red Hat (RHEL), while the latter is represented by Debian. Below are the characteristics of each distribution:
Red Hat, which should be referred to as the Red Hat series, includes RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux, also known as Red Hat Advanced Server, a paid version), Fedora Core (developed from the original Red Hat desktop version, a free version), and CentOS (a community clone of RHEL, free). Red Hat is said to be the most widely used Linux version in China, with some people equating Red Hat with Linux itself, and some veterans only using this one version of Linux. Therefore, this version is characterized by a large user base, abundant resources, and, implicitly, if you have any questions, it is easy to find someone to ask, and most general Linux tutorials online use Red Hat as an example. The package management method of the Red Hat series is based on the RPM package and uses the YUM package management system. The package distribution method is compiled binary files. In terms of stability, RHEL and CentOS are very stable and suitable for server use, while Fedora Core has relatively poor stability and is best used for desktop applications.
Debian, or the Debian series, includes Debian and Ubuntu, etc. Debian is the epitome of community-based Linux and is the most compliant with GNU standards. Debian was first created by Ian Murdock in 1993 and is divided into three branches: stable, testing, and unstable. The unstable version is the latest testing version, which includes the newest software packages but also has relatively more bugs, making it suitable for desktop users. The testing version has been tested from the unstable version and is relatively stable, supporting many new technologies (such as SMP, etc.). The stable version is generally only used for servers, with most software packages being relatively outdated but very high in stability and security. Debian’s most distinctive feature is the APT/dpkg package management method. In fact, Red Hat’s YUM is modeled after Debian’s APT method, but in terms of binary file distribution, APT is the best. Debian has abundant resources and many supporting communities, making it easy to seek help if there are any issues 🙂
Ubuntu cannot strictly be considered an independent distribution; Ubuntu is an enhanced version based on Debian’s unstable version. It can be said that Ubuntu is a near-perfect Linux desktop system that has all the advantages of Debian, along with its enhancements. Depending on the chosen desktop system, there are three versions available: Ubuntu based on Gnome, Kubuntu based on KDE, and Xubuntu based on XFCE. Its characteristics include a very friendly interface, easy to use, and comprehensive hardware support, making it the most suitable Linux distribution for desktop systems.
Gentoo, the great Gentoo is the youngest distribution in the Linux world, and because it is young, it can absorb all the advantages of the distributions that came before it. This is one reason why Gentoo is considered the most perfect Linux distribution. Gentoo was initially created by Daniel Robbins (one of the developers of FreeBSD), and its first stable version was released in 2002. Because the developer is familiar with FreeBSD, Gentoo has a widely praised ports system comparable to FreeBSD — the Portage package management system. Unlike APT and YUM, which are binary file distribution package management systems, Portage is a source code distribution system that must be compiled before it can run. This is relatively slow for large software, but because all software is compiled on the local machine with various customized compile options, it can maximize hardware performance. Gentoo is the most complex to install among all Linux distributions, but it is also the easiest to manage after installation and runs the fastest under the same hardware environment.
Finally, let’s introduce FreeBSD. It is important to emphasize that FreeBSD is not a Linux system! However, a significant portion of the user base for FreeBSD overlaps with that of Linux, and the supported hardware environments are quite similar, as are the software used, so FreeBSD can be compared to a Linux version. FreeBSD has two branches: stable and current. As the names imply, stable is the stable version, while current is the testing version with new technologies added. FreeBSD uses the Ports package management system, similar to Gentoo, based on source code distribution, which must be compiled locally before it can run. However, the Ports system is not as user-friendly as the Portage system and is a bit more complex to use. The main characteristics of FreeBSD are stability and efficiency, making it the best choice as a server operating system, but its hardware support is not as comprehensive as Linux, so it is not suitable as a desktop system.
Here are some suggestions for friends who are struggling to choose a Linux distribution:
If you only need a desktop system and do not want to use pirated software or spend a lot of money on commercial software, then you need a Linux distribution suitable for desktop use. If you do not want to customize anything and do not want to waste too much time on the system, it is simple: just choose one from Ubuntu, Kubuntu, or Xubuntu based on your preferences. The only difference between the three is the desktop program.
If you need a desktop system and want to flexibly customize your Linux system, aiming for better performance and do not mind spending some time on Linux installation, then your only choice is Gentoo; enjoy the freedom that Gentoo brings!
If you need a server system and are tired of various Linux configurations and just want a stable server system, then your best choice is CentOS. After installation and simple configuration, it can provide very stable services.
If you need a rock-solid and very stable server system, then your only choice is FreeBSD.
If you need a stable server system and want to deeply explore various aspects of Linux knowledge and customize many contents, then I recommend using Gentoo.
Leading education brand in China’s Internet focusing on IT online education with a craftsman spirit, Vision SongQin Software
SongQin Network: www.songqinnet.com
WeChat Official Account: SongQin Software Academy
Software Testing Communication QQ Group: 64207188
Software Automation Testing QQ Group: 398140461
Software Performance Testing Communication QQ Group: 348074292