If you are unsure about which Linux distribution is right between CentOS or Debian for your Cloud server, we will try to help you make the decision in this article. First, let's look at the differences between the two, taking various factors into account.
Differences between CentOS and Debian
Package management
Most Linux distributions today have a package manager, some more complex and/or advanced in functionality than others. CentOS uses the RPM package format, with YUM/DNF as its package manager derived from Red Hat, and Debian uses the DEB package format with dpkg/APT.
Both offer full-featured package management, with network-based repository support, verification, and dependency resolution. If you are familiar with one, you may need to adapt, but they are not very different. They have similar features, just available through a different interface.
File systems
The default file system is not usually a major differentiating factor, but if you are a fan of XFS, you may be happy that it is the default in CentOS. However, if you are more drawn to EXT4, then you will prefer Debian. Both XFS and EXT4 are popular options and well supported in both distributions. In addition, both distributions support many other file systems, such as ext2/3, NFSv3/4, GFS2, and more.
CentOS does not officially support some of the file systems offered by Debian, most notably ZFS. Debian provides ZFS support through a DKMS contribution, but ZFS is not supported by CentOS, although ZFS support is available through third parties.
Kernel
Keeping the kernel updated throughout its lifecycle is important for security, although both Debian and Red Hat provide support with security fixes.
As for Debian, its version 9 corresponds by default to kernel version 4.9 and its lifecycle ends in January 2023. The version 10 of Debian starts with kernel version 4.19 and its lifecycle will end in December 2024. Finally, in its most recent version, 11, its kernel is 5.10 and its lifecycle ends in December 2026.
As for CentOS, its version 7 starts with kernel version 3.10 and CentOS 8, with 4.18. More up-to-date versions are available through third-party repositories. Therefore, now with CentOS Stream, Red Hat can use CentOS to test new kernels and introduce them later, as it previously did with Fedora.
Version upgrades
Stable version upgrades are not very useful if you deploy systems in a more ephemeral way, since it is often relatively easy to upgrade using base images of a newer version. However, if you deploy systems intended to last several years on your cloud server, major stable upgrades can become a stumbling block if they do not work.
Therefore, this is a feature that gives Debian a clear advantage in this comparison.
CentOS supports minor version upgrades, but does not support or provides limited support for major version upgrades, which used to have a lifespan of 10 years. But with the change to CentOS Stream, the lifecycle will end in December 2021 for CentOS 8. For CentOS 7, it is still scheduled for 2024 for now.
Debian's ability to upgrade from one stable version to another can help keep a system up to date after many years. Debian normally releases a new major version on a release cycle of about two years, with three years of full support and two additional years of LTS (long-term support). Therefore, with a lifespan of five years, the ability to easily upgrade to the next stable major version is very useful.
Support
CentOS support was largely provided by the community, but Red Hat accepted bug reports submitted by end users and will continue to accept them as it becomes CentOS Stream, just as it does with Fedora. Commercial CentOS support is not offered by either the project or Red Hat, but it is available through third parties.
Debian relies primarily on the community, which includes a bug tracker. Additionally, it offers a list of consultants whose help can be hired to resolve issues, but these consultants operate independently.
Some Debian-based distributions have commercial support options, with Ubuntu probably being the most prolific.
CentOS and Debian comparison table
CentOS |
Debian |
|---|---|
| CentOS has been considered a distribution with better support because it is based on Red Hat code. But this view has changed recently. | A certain amount of solid Linux knowledge is required to work with Debian, particularly to install new software and make customizations. |
|
CentOS uses the RPM package format with YUM/DNF. |
Debian uses the DEB package format with dpkg/APT. |
| Preference for the XFS file system. | Preference for the EXT4 file system. |
| CentOS core software, such as the RHEL / CentOS components, as well as the kernel and all its utilities, comes from the distribution. | The apt repositories in package managers have the latest source code for various open-source languages and frameworks such as ruby, rails, PostgreSQL, Golang, selenium, or angular2-dart. |
| New CentOS versions are generally released after a long period. However, a minor release occurs from time to time. | New Debian versions are generally published at intervals of 2 years, so there is enough time to test and fix bugs. Therefore, it is more stable. |
Conclusion
After analyzing the differences between CentOS and Debian, we believe there is no objectively "best Linux distribution"; rather, the choice depends on your needs and preferences. The Debian distribution is probably the best for Linux beginners because it is easy to configure and use for your web server.
In contrast, CentOS was surely the best for more experienced users, such as companies that wanted a more reliable Linux distribution backed by RHEL. Currently, the logical replacements for this distribution are AlmaLinux or RockyLinux. In particular AlmaLinux, because of the support a company can offer rather than just a community.
At Clouding, all the distributions are available that are mentioned in the article; you can find more information at the link Linux Images. We hope this tutorial has helped you. Have you tried it? Leave us your comments! 🙂
Remember, if you have questions about this or any other issue related to your servers at Clouding, feel free to write to soporte@clouding.io We are here for whatever you need. Contact us!