CentOS Linux 7

Basic Information

Red Hat CentOS Linux 7 is a community-supported, free, and open-source operating system derived from the sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7. It functions as a stable, predictable, and reproducible platform.

• Model: Linux Distribution (derived from RHEL 7)
• Version: CentOS Linux 7 (last minor release 7.9-2009)
• Release Date: July 7, 2014
• Minimum Requirements: 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 10 GB disk space.
• Supported Operating Systems: As an operating system itself, it supports a wide range of applications and services.
• Latest Stable Version: CentOS 7 (2009), released November 12, 2020.
• End of Support Date: June 30, 2024 (official community support ended).
• End of Life Date: June 30, 2024.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Official updates ceased on June 30, 2024.
• License Type: Free and open-source (GNU GPL and other licenses).
• Deployment Model: Primarily deployed on servers for enterprise and mission-critical workloads, but also used on desktops and workstations.

Technical Requirements

CentOS Linux 7 provides a robust foundation with scalable hardware requirements to suit various deployment needs, from minimal installations to demanding server environments.

• RAM: Minimum 1 GB; 4 GB or more recommended for multitasking, virtual machines, and server workloads; 8 GB or higher for enterprise applications.
• Processor: Minimum 1 GHz; 2 GHz dual-core or higher recommended for better performance. Supports x86-64 architectures, with AltArch releases for IA-32, Power ISA, ARMv7hl, and AArch64.
• Storage: Minimum 10 GB; 20 GB or more recommended for full installations with additional software. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are advisable for server and data-intensive tasks to enhance performance.
• Display: A standard VGA-compatible graphics card is sufficient for basic use. For graphical user interfaces (GUI) or intensive graphical tasks, a modern graphics card with at least 512 MB VRAM is recommended, supporting a minimum resolution of 1024x768.
• Ports: Supports most standard Ethernet and Wi-Fi adapters for network connectivity.
• Operating System: CentOS Linux 7 is the operating system itself.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for CentOS 7 are modest for basic operation, reflecting its design as a stable server-oriented distribution. The recommended specifications significantly enhance performance for common server roles and graphical environments. Its broad architecture support, including x86-64 and various ARM/Power variants, makes it adaptable to diverse hardware platforms. The flexibility in storage and RAM allows for optimization based on specific workload demands.

Support & Compatibility

CentOS Linux 7, while officially at its end of life, still benefits from a broad ecosystem and third-party support options.

• Latest Version: CentOS 7 (2009), the final update set released on November 12, 2020.
• OS Support: CentOS Linux 7 is a standalone operating system.
• End of Support Date: Official community support and updates ceased on June 30, 2024.
• Localization: As a major Linux distribution, CentOS 7 supports a wide range of locales and language packs, configurable post-installation.
• Available Drivers: Hardware support is primarily managed through the Linux kernel (version 3.10.0 for CentOS 7.0) and its included modules. New hardware support was integrated via update sets during its active lifecycle.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

CentOS Linux 7 has officially reached its End of Life (EOL), meaning the CentOS Project no longer provides security updates, bug fixes, or new features. This status poses significant security and compliance risks for systems still running CentOS 7. However, several third-party vendors, such as TuxCare, CIQ, OpenLogic, and SUSE, offer extended lifecycle support (ELS) or long-term support (LTS) options, providing security patches and critical bug fixes for CentOS 7 beyond its EOL, often until 2029. This allows organizations more time to plan and execute migrations to newer, supported operating systems like RHEL, AlmaLinux, or Rocky Linux.

Security Status

CentOS Linux 7 incorporates robust security mechanisms inherent to the Linux ecosystem, though its EOL status significantly impacts its current security posture.

• Security Features:
  • SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux): Provides mandatory access control (MAC) for enhanced system security.
  • Firewalld: A dynamic firewall management tool for configuring network access rules.
  • SSH Hardening: Supports disabling root login, implementing key-based authentication, and restricting user access for secure remote management.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Integrates with Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) to enable 2FA for services like SSH, using tools such as Google Authenticator.
• Known Vulnerabilities: As of its EOL on June 30, 2024, CentOS 7 systems are exposed to numerous unpatched vulnerabilities. An analysis of the official CentOS 7 Docker container revealed critical, high, medium, and low-rated vulnerabilities even after applying available updates. Third-party extended support providers have addressed hundreds of CVEs post-EOL.
• Blacklist Status: The operating system itself is not blacklisted. However, unpatched CentOS 7 systems are considered highly vulnerable and are actively targeted by attackers.
• Certifications: While Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), its upstream, holds various security certifications (e.g., FIPS, Common Criteria), CentOS Linux 7, as a community rebuild, does not inherently carry the same official certifications.
• Encryption Support: Supports various encryption methods, including LUKS for full disk encryption and TLS/SSL for secure network communication, provided by the underlying Linux kernel and cryptographic libraries.
• Authentication Methods: Supports local user accounts, Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM), and SSH with password, key-based, and two-factor authentication.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

The overall security rating for CentOS Linux 7 is critically low due to its End of Life (EOL) status. Without official security updates from the CentOS Project, systems running CentOS 7 are increasingly vulnerable to newly discovered exploits and compliance issues. While it includes robust built-in security features like SELinux and Firewalld, these are insufficient to protect against vulnerabilities that require kernel or package updates. Organizations must either migrate to a supported operating system or implement third-party extended security support to mitigate the significant risks associated with running an unpatched EOL system.

Performance & Benchmarks

CentOS Linux 7 is recognized for its stability and reliability, particularly in server environments.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, independent benchmark scores for CentOS 7 are not widely published, as its performance is generally aligned with its upstream, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: Users consistently report CentOS 7 as stable and reliable, making it a popular choice for enterprise and mission-critical workloads. For graphical desktop environments, early versions of CentOS 7 with GNOME 2-based interfaces showed memory usage around 600MB.
• Power Consumption: Power consumption for an operating system is highly dependent on the underlying hardware, workload, and system configuration. No specific power consumption metrics are available for CentOS 7 itself.
• Carbon Footprint: Similar to power consumption, the carbon footprint is determined by the hardware and energy efficiency of the data center or device running the OS, rather than the OS itself. No specific carbon footprint data is available for CentOS 7.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: CentOS 7 is functionally compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, offering similar performance characteristics without the commercial support costs. Compared to more rapidly evolving distributions like Fedora, CentOS 7 prioritizes stability over cutting-edge features. It is often compared to other RHEL derivatives such as AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux, which emerged as successors after CentOS Linux's shift to CentOS Stream.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

CentOS Linux 7 delivers solid, dependable performance, particularly valued in server and enterprise settings where stability and uptime are paramount. Its performance profile closely mirrors that of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, providing a robust platform for various applications. While not designed for bleeding-edge desktop performance, its efficiency and resource management are well-suited for its intended server roles. The lack of specific power consumption or carbon footprint metrics is typical for an operating system, as these factors are predominantly hardware-dependent.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for CentOS Linux 7 highlight its strengths as a server operating system, alongside some criticisms, particularly regarding its desktop experience and installation process.

• Strengths:
  • Stability and Reliability: Consistently praised for its exceptional stability, reliability, and minimal maintenance, making it ideal for production, enterprise, and mission-critical environments.
  • Security: Offers strong security features, including SELinux and a robust firewall, contributing to a secure platform.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Being free and open-source, it provides enterprise-level stability without licensing fees.
  • RHEL Compatibility: Its binary compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a significant advantage for organizations in the RHEL ecosystem.
  • Community Support & Documentation: Benefits from a vast and helpful community, along with extensive documentation.
• Weaknesses:
  • Installer Experience: The Anaconda installer, particularly in early CentOS 7 releases, was frequently criticized as confusing, unintuitive, and prone to errors, especially for manual partitioning.
  • Desktop Suitability: Generally not recommended for everyday desktop users due to a command-line heavy approach for many tasks, less user-friendly software management out-of-the-box, and a focus on server stability over desktop features.
  • Third-Party Software: Initial lack of readily available third-party repositories and software compared to other distributions.
  • EOL Impact: The official end of life has created uncertainty and necessitates migration or reliance on third-party extended support, which is a significant concern for long-term users.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Servers and mission-critical workloads.
  • Enterprise environments requiring stability and RHEL compatibility.
  • IT and network administration.
  • Learning Linux or experimental use (though EOL makes it less ideal for new deployments).

Summary

Red Hat CentOS Linux 7, released on July 7, 2014, served as a highly stable, free, and open-source operating system functionally compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7. It was a cornerstone for many enterprise and mission-critical server environments due to its reliability, robust security features like SELinux and Firewalld, and strong community backing. Technical requirements were moderate, with a minimum of 1 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, and 10 GB storage, scaling up for more demanding workloads.

However, CentOS Linux 7 officially reached its End of Life (EOL) on June 30, 2024, meaning official security updates and community support have ceased. This EOL status is its most significant weakness, exposing unpatched systems to numerous known vulnerabilities and compliance risks. While third-party vendors offer extended support options until 2029, migration to a currently supported operating system (such as RHEL, AlmaLinux, or Rocky Linux) is strongly recommended for ongoing security and stability.

User feedback consistently praised its stability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness for server deployments. Criticisms often focused on its early installer experience and its less-than-ideal suitability for desktop use. Performance was generally considered solid and comparable to RHEL 7, prioritizing stability over cutting-edge features.

In summary, CentOS Linux 7 was an excellent choice during its supported lifecycle for server infrastructure. Its current EOL status necessitates immediate action for continued security and compliance. Organizations should prioritize migration to a supported platform or engage with extended support providers to bridge the transition.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.