Hello,
The future of the CentOS Project is CentOS Stream, and over the next year we’ll be shifting focus from CentOS Linux, the rebuild of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), to CentOS Stream, which tracks just ahead of a current RHEL release. CentOS Linux 8, as a rebuild of RHEL 8, will end at the end of 2021. CentOS Stream continues after that date, serving as the upstream (development) branch of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Meanwhile, we understand many of you are deeply invested in CentOS Linux 7, and we’ll continue to produce that version through the remainder of the RHEL 7 life cycle. https://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/errata/#Life_Cycle_Dates
Yeah, deeply, in many a sense. I am a sysadmin, attending to quite a lot of systems, and CentOS was a real blessing.
Now, as I see it, CentOS is becoming a sandbox for upcoming RHEL minor releases, so one can bid farewell to free to use, stable, reliable and predictable OS.
I am currently in process of upgrading multiple CentOS-driven systems, so this piece of news has become a nasty surprise. Looks like a major decision should be taken right now.
Apart from migrating to Oracle Linux (which I wouldn't like at all), and buying RHEL itself, what are other possible alternatives (just curious)?
Thanks.
Sincerely, Konstantin