In this article, you will get acquainted with the CentOS 7 operating system’s features and capabilities. You can download the CentOS 7 minimal version at the end of this article.
What is CentOS
CentOS (Community Enterprise Operating System) is a free and open-source Linux distribution. It is a community-driven project that aims to provide a stable, reliable, and compatible platform for users who require enterprise-level functionality without the associated costs.
CentOS is derived from the source code of the commercial distribution called Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). The CentOS project removes any proprietary branding, logos, and trademarks from RHEL and rebuilds the operating system from the released source code. This process ensures that CentOS is functionally compatible with RHEL and provides a similar experience for users.
CentOS is known for its stability, long-term support, and security updates. It is commonly used in server environments and is well-suited for web hosting, database management, and other enterprise-level applications. CentOS follows a release cycle that aims to provide updates and security patches for an extended period, typically up to 10 years.
However, it’s worth noting that in December 2020, Red Hat announced a change in its strategy and ended its support for CentOS as a traditional CentOS Linux distribution. Instead, they introduced CentOS Stream, a rolling-release distribution that serves as the upstream for RHEL. This change has generated discussion and led to alternatives such as AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux emerging as community-driven projects aiming to provide CentOS-like distributions with long-term support.
At the end of this article, you can download Centos 7 Minimal.
CentOS 7 Features
CentOS 7, released in 2014, is an open-source operating system based on the source code of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It offers several essential features that contribute to its popularity and widespread use. Some of the most significant features of CentOS 7 are:
Stability: CentOS 7 is known for its high stability, reliability, and long-term support. It benefits from the extensive testing and stability of RHEL, making it suitable for enterprise environments.
Security: CentOS 7 prioritizes security and provides various built-in security features. These include SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux), which implements mandatory access controls, and Firewalld, a dynamic firewall management utility.
Long-term support: CentOS 7 offers long-term support (LTS) with regular updates and security patches, ensuring the system remains stable and secure over an extended period. This is especially valuable for organizations that require long-term stability without frequent upgrades.
Compatibility: As a derivative of RHEL, CentOS 7 is binary compatible with RHEL. This means applications developed and tested on RHEL can be run on CentOS without compatibility issues, making it an attractive choice for software developers and businesses.
Package management: CentOS 7 utilizes the YUM (Yellowdog Updater Modified) package manager, simplifying software installation, updates, and dependency management. CentOS 7 also supports RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) for package management.
Community and documentation: CentOS has a large and active community of users, administrators, and developers who provide support, share knowledge, and contribute to improving the operating system. Comprehensive documentation and guides are readily available to assist users in configuring and managing CentOS 7.
Server-oriented features: CentOS 7 is well-suited for server deployments. It includes features such as Apache web server, MariaDB/MySQL database server, PHP programming language, and support for various server applications and services, making it an ideal choice for hosting and running server workloads.
Virtualization and containerization: CentOS 7 supports virtualization technologies like KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) and containerization platforms like Docker, allowing users to efficiently create and manage virtual machines and containers.
Resource efficiency: CentOS 7 is known for its efficient resource utilization, making it suitable for running on older hardware and resource-constrained environments.
Open-source community: CentOS 7 is part of the broader open-source community and inherits the benefits associated with it, such as transparency, flexibility, and access to a wide range of open-source software and tools.
It’s worth noting that CentOS 7 has been succeeded by CentOS 8 and CentOS Stream in recent years. CentOS Stream is a rolling-release version that aligns closely with the upstream development of RHEL.
What is CentOS minimal
This is a minimal version of the “bin” CentOS OS install. You would use this instead of “bin” if you do not need anything but a truly utterly bare CentOS OS to install with pretty much no GUI. This is good for server environments where you only need Terminal access and a core OS.
CentOS 7 Requirements
Processor: 64-bit x86 processor or compatible architecture
Memory: At least 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended for better performance)
Storage: Minimum 10 GB of available hard disk space
Network: An Ethernet network interface card (NIC) is recommended for network installation
Graphics: A graphics card capable of displaying a graphical interface (optional for server installations)
Internet Connectivity: Required for package updates and additional software installations
These requirements are the minimum specifications needed to run CentOS 7. However, depending on your specific use case and the services you intend to run, you may need additional resources. For example, running resource-intensive applications or serving many clients may require more powerful hardware configurations.
How to Download CentOS 7:
The process of downloading CentOS 7 is straightforward:
Visit the CentOS website: Go to the official CentOS website at https://www.centos.org/download/ and navigate to the “CentOS 7 (1810) (AltArch)” section.
Choose the architecture: CentOS 7 is available in two architectures: 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (x86_64). Select the appropriate architecture based on your system requirements.
Select a download method: You can download CentOS 7 via a direct ISO link or a BitTorrent client. Choose the method that suits you best.
Download the ISO file: Once selected, click on the link to start the download process. The CentOS 7 ISO file size is approximately 4.3 GB, so ensure you have a stable internet connection.
Verify the download: It is essential to verify the integrity of the downloaded file to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. The CentOS website provides instructions on how to perform a checksum verification using the MD5 or SHA256 hash.
Conclusion:
CentOS 7 offers a reliable and secure operating system widely used in server environments, businesses, and organizations worldwide. With its stability, security updates, vast software repository, and binary compatibility with RHEL, CentOS 7 is a solid choice for anyone looking for a robust Linux distribution.
Following the simple download process outlined above, you can start with CentOS 7 and take advantage of its impressive features and benefits.