CentOS 9 End of Life: What You Need to Know

CentOS Stream 9 End of Life: What You Need to Know

CentOS, the once-ubiquitous, free alternative to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), has undergone significant changes in recent years. Understanding the lifecycle of CentOS Stream 9, specifically, is crucial for any organization or individual relying on it. This article will delve into the details of CentOS Stream 9’s “End of Life” (EOL) situation, clarifying what it means, when it happens, and what your options are.

Key Distinction: CentOS Linux vs. CentOS Stream

It’s absolutely critical to understand that CentOS Linux is dead. CentOS Linux 8, the last of the traditional CentOS builds, reached its EOL on December 31, 2021. If you are still running CentOS Linux 8 (or earlier), you are running an unsupported, unpatched, and highly vulnerable operating system. Migrate immediately.

CentOS Stream is a different beast. It’s not a direct replacement for CentOS Linux. Instead, CentOS Stream sits upstream of RHEL. Think of it as a continuously rolling preview of what will be in the next minor release of RHEL. This means:

• Continuous Updates: CentOS Stream receives updates and new features before they land in RHEL.
• Less Stability (Potentially): Because it’s ahead of RHEL, it might be slightly less stable, although the CentOS project strives for production-readiness. It’s a trade-off between bleeding-edge and rock-solid stability.
• Shorter Support Lifecycle: CentOS Stream’s support lifecycle is tied to the corresponding RHEL major release.

CentOS Stream 9’s EOL: It’s Not Really EOL (Yet)

Here’s where things get a little nuanced. CentOS Stream 9 itself doesn’t have a traditional “End of Life” date in the same way that a fixed-release operating system like CentOS Linux did. Instead, its support lifecycle is directly tied to that of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.

• RHEL 9 Lifecycle: RHEL 9 has a defined lifecycle with different phases:
  • Full Support: This phase includes regular updates, bug fixes, security patches, and new feature enhancements. For RHEL 9, this phase is expected to last for 5 years from its initial release (May 2022).
  • Maintenance Support 1: This phase focuses on critical security and bug fixes. New features are generally not added. This phase lasts for 2 years after Full Support.
  • Maintenance Support 2: This phase is reserved for the most critical security vulnerabilities and major bugs. This phase lasts for 3 years after Maintenance Support 1.
  • Extended Life Phase (ELS) (Optional, Paid Add-on): Red Hat offers an Extended Life Phase as a paid add-on. This provides limited support for specific security issues.
• CentOS Stream 9’s Support: CentOS Stream 9’s support roughly tracks the Full Support phase of RHEL 9. This means that CentOS Stream 9 will receive the continuous stream of updates and enhancements until RHEL 9 enters its Maintenance Support 1 phase.

Therefore, CentOS Stream 9 is expected to receive its stream of full updates until approximately May 2027.

What Happens After ~May 2027?

After the Full Support phase of RHEL 9 ends (around May 2027), CentOS Stream 9 will not suddenly become unsupported and insecure. However, the nature of updates will change:

• Shift to Maintenance Focus: The focus will shift from new features and enhancements to critical bug fixes and security patches, mirroring RHEL 9’s Maintenance Support phases.
• CentOS Stream 10 Emergence: As RHEL 10 development progresses, a new CentOS Stream 10 will emerge. Users of CentOS Stream 9 will need to consider migrating to CentOS Stream 10 to continue receiving the latest features and the fullest level of support. This is not a forced, immediate upgrade, but a natural progression in the rolling-release model.

Your Options and Considerations

Given this lifecycle, you have several options:

1. Stay on CentOS Stream 9 (Short-Term): If you’re comfortable with the rolling-release nature of CentOS Stream and the potential for slightly reduced stability, you can continue using CentOS Stream 9. You’ll continue to receive updates, albeit with a shifting focus as RHEL 9 ages. Be prepared to eventually migrate to CentOS Stream 10.

2. Migrate to CentOS Stream 10 (When Available): When CentOS Stream 10 becomes available, it will become the recommended path for those seeking the latest features and the most up-to-date support. This will likely involve a more significant upgrade process than a typical minor version update.

3. Migrate to RHEL 9 (Paid): If you require the absolute highest level of stability, long-term support (including the optional ELS), and official Red Hat support, migrating to RHEL 9 is an option. This requires a paid subscription.

4. Migrate to a RHEL-Compatible Alternative (Free): Several free distributions aim to be binary-compatible with RHEL, offering a similar experience to the old CentOS Linux, but with longer support lifecycles. Popular options include:

   • AlmaLinux 9: A community-driven, 1:1 binary-compatible replacement for CentOS Linux, with a commitment to long-term support.
   • Rocky Linux 9: Another community-driven, 1:1 binary-compatible replacement, founded by one of the original CentOS co-founders.
   • Oracle Linux 9: Offered by Oracle, it’s free to use and download, but Oracle offers paid support options.

5. Migrate to a Different Linux Distribution: Consider distributions like Debian, Ubuntu Server LTS, or openSUSE Leap if you’re open to a different ecosystem.

Choosing the Right Path

The best option for you depends on your specific needs and priorities:

• Prioritize Stability and Long-Term Support: RHEL 9 (paid) or a RHEL-compatible alternative (AlmaLinux 9, Rocky Linux 9, Oracle Linux 9) are excellent choices.
• Prioritize Cutting-Edge Features and Don’t Mind a Rolling Release: Stick with CentOS Stream 9 and then migrate to CentOS Stream 10 when it’s available.
• Want a Different Ecosystem: Explore Debian, Ubuntu Server LTS, or openSUSE Leap.

Conclusion

CentOS Stream 9’s “End of Life” is not a hard cutoff date, but rather a gradual shift in the nature of updates as RHEL 9 progresses through its lifecycle. Understanding this model is crucial for making informed decisions about your infrastructure. Plan ahead, evaluate your options, and choose the path that best aligns with your requirements for stability, support, and feature availability. Crucially, if you are still using CentOS Linux 8 (or earlier), migrate immediately to a supported operating system.