The most popular Linux for Web servers is ...
- TAGS:CentOS, enterprise, Linux, Oracle, Red Hat, server, Unbreakable Linux
- IT TOPICS:Applications, Data Center, Enterprise Apps, Internet, Linux & Unix, Open Source, Operating Systems, Servers & NOSes
Even a Linux fan might not have heard of CentOS Linux but, if you're a Web or other edge-server administrator, I can guarantee you know about CentOS. That's because, according to Web Technology Surveys, in July 2010, "For the first time, CentOS is now leading the Linux distribution statistics on web servers with almost 30% of all Linux servers."
What's CentOS other than number 15 on DistroWatch's list of popular Linux distributions? Officially, CentOS is an "Enterprise-class Linux Distribution derived from sources freely provided to the public by a prominent North American Enterprise Linux vendor. CentOS conforms fully with the upstream vendors redistribution policy and aims to be 100% binary compatible. (CentOS mainly changes packages to remove upstream vendor branding and artwork.)."
What that really means is that CentOS is built from Red Hat's RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) source code, which is freely available at the Raleigh, NC company's ftp site. It's positioned as a free or low-cost server alternative to RHEL 5.
In short, it's the RHEL for expert Linux users who don't require Red Hat's support contracts. Mind you, there are also CentOS support companies, but CentOS' real market is businesses that don't need hand-holding.
Read more...http://blogs.computerworld.com/16596/the_most_popular_web_server_linux_is
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