CentOS Linux 8

Basic Information

• Model: CentOS Linux 8
• Version: 8.0-1905 (initial release), up to 8.5-2111 (latest stable)
• Release Date: September 24, 2019
• Minimum Requirements:
  • Processor: 1 GHz
  • RAM: 1 GB (for basic tasks), 2 GB (for installation)
  • Storage: 10 GB
• Supported Architectures: x86-64, POWER8 (ppc64le), 64-bit ARM (aarch64)
• Latest Stable Version: CentOS Linux 8.5-2111
• End of Support Date: December 31, 2021
• End of Life Date: December 31, 2021
• Auto-update Expiration Date: December 31, 2021 (aligned with EOL for official updates)
• License Type: Free and open-source
• Deployment Model: Primarily a server operating system, also suitable for development environments

CentOS Linux 8, released in September 2019, served as a free, community-supported rebuild of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (RHEL 8). It offered a stable platform for various deployments. However, its lifecycle was significantly shortened from the expected 10 years to just over two years, with its official end-of-life (EOL) and end of support occurring on December 31, 2021. This abrupt change redirected focus towards CentOS Stream, an upstream development platform for RHEL.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 1 GB (for basic tasks), 2 GB (for installation), 4 GB (recommended for general use), 8 GB or higher (for enterprise-level applications and virtual machines)
• Processor: Minimum 1 GHz, recommended 2 GHz dual-core or higher. Supports x86-64, POWER8 (ppc64le), and 64-bit ARM (aarch64) architectures
• Storage: Minimum 10 GB, recommended 20 GB or more for full installations and additional software. Supports XFS, ext4, and GFS2 file systems
• Display: Supports a wide range of graphics cards and resolutions. Wayland is the default display server, replacing Xorg
• Ports: Standard network interfaces and USB ports for installation media are required
• Operating System: CentOS Linux 8 is the operating system itself

The technical requirements for CentOS Linux 8 are generally modest for basic operation but scale with workload complexity. The minimum RAM for installation is 2 GB, although 1 GB suffices for basic tasks post-installation. For production or demanding environments, 4 GB to 8 GB of RAM is recommended. It supports common server architectures, ensuring broad hardware compatibility. Storage needs are minimal for a base install but increase with application and data requirements. The shift to Wayland as the default display server indicates a move towards modern display technologies.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: CentOS Linux 8.5-2111
• OS Support: As an operating system, it provides a platform for applications and services. It supports x86-64, ppc64le (POWER8), and aarch64 (ARM 64) architectures
• End of Support Date: December 31, 2021
• Localization: Offers standard Linux localization options for various languages and regional settings
• Available Drivers: Includes a comprehensive set of drivers through its Linux 4.18 kernel and package repositories, ensuring broad hardware compatibility

CentOS Linux 8 reached its official end of support on December 31, 2021. This means it no longer receives official updates, security patches, or bug fixes from the CentOS Project. While it was initially designed for a 10-year support cycle, this was curtailed due to Red Hat's strategic shift to CentOS Stream. Users requiring continued support must either migrate to alternative distributions like AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, or RHEL, or opt for third-party extended support solutions. The operating system itself is compatible with a range of hardware architectures and provides standard localization and driver support through its kernel and package management system.

Security Status

• Security Features: SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux), Firewalld with nftables as the default backend, OpenSSL 1.1.1 with TLS 1.3, system-wide crypto policies, LUKS2 for encrypted storage, support for secure-boot guests and virtual machines, Podman for daemonless container management
• Known Vulnerabilities: Post-EOL, CentOS Linux 8 no longer receives official security patches, making systems running it vulnerable to newly discovered exploits and security risks unless third-party extended support is utilized
• Blacklist Status: Not blacklisted, but considered unsafe for production environments without active security patching due to its EOL status
• Certifications: CentOS does not inherit certifications from Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Encryption Support: Features OpenSSL 1.1.1 with TLS 1.3, LUKS2 for disk encryption, and PKCS #11 cryptographic token interface support
• Authentication Methods: Standard Linux authentication mechanisms, with recommendations for securing SSH using key-based authentication
• General Recommendations: Enable and enforce SELinux, configure Firewalld to restrict access, secure SSH with strong authentication, and ensure systems are kept up-to-date with patches (if using third-party support)

CentOS Linux 8, at its release, incorporated robust security features inherited from RHEL 8, including SELinux for mandatory access control, Firewalld for network filtering, and modern encryption standards like TLS 1.3. However, its early end-of-life on December 31, 2021, means that official security updates ceased. This leaves unpatched CentOS 8 systems highly vulnerable to new threats, making them unsuitable for production environments without a migration strategy or a commercial extended support agreement. CentOS does not carry the same certifications as its upstream RHEL.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Showed significant performance gains over CentOS 7/RHEL 7, with improvements up to 38% on AMD EPYC and 33% on Intel Xeon Platinum in various workloads. Networking stack improvements yielded up to 46% gains
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Demonstrated faster performance in kernel-intensive workloads, improved Apache performance, and enhanced database operations (e.g., with HammerDB). The updated kernel (Linux 4.18) and newer package versions contributed to these gains
• Power Consumption: Optimized for server environments, though specific power consumption benchmarks are not widely published for the OS itself
• Carbon Footprint: Not a directly measurable metric for an operating system; depends on underlying hardware and energy efficiency practices
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Outperformed its predecessor, CentOS 7/RHEL 7. At its release, CentOS Stream 8 exhibited no measurable performance difference from CentOS 8.0 due to their close development state

CentOS Linux 8 delivered substantial performance improvements compared to CentOS 7 and RHEL 7, largely attributed to its newer Linux 4.18 kernel and updated software packages. Benchmarks indicated significant gains across CPU, networking, and database workloads, making it a more efficient platform for modern applications. The networking stack, in particular, saw notable enhancements. While specific power consumption and carbon footprint metrics for the OS are not typically provided, its performance optimizations contribute to more efficient resource utilization.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for CentOS Linux 8 are largely overshadowed by the controversial and abrupt announcement of its early end-of-life. Initially, users appreciated its stability, functional compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and its free, open-source nature, making it a popular choice for servers and enterprise environments. It was seen as a reliable and robust operating system.

However, the decision to discontinue CentOS Linux 8 at the end of 2021, rather than the anticipated 2029, generated widespread "devastation" and "outrage" within the community. This move left many users with insufficient time to plan migrations, leading to significant concerns about security and ongoing support. The shift to CentOS Stream, an upstream development branch for RHEL, was not considered a direct replacement for the stable, downstream CentOS Linux.

Consequently, the primary feedback post-EOL focuses on the urgent need for migration to alternatives like AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or the necessity of securing third-party extended support. The recommended use cases for CentOS Linux 8 are now limited to environments with active third-party support or those undergoing migration.

Summary

Red Hat CentOS Linux 8, released in September 2019, was a free, enterprise-grade operating system derived from Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8. It offered a stable, robust, and functionally compatible platform, making it a popular choice for server deployments and development. Key strengths included significant performance improvements over its predecessor due to a newer Linux 4.18 kernel and updated packages, enhanced security features like SELinux and TLS 1.3, and broad hardware architecture support (x86-64, POWER8, ARM64).

However, the asset's lifecycle was dramatically cut short. Originally expected to be supported until 2029, CentOS Linux 8 reached its official end-of-life and end of support on December 31, 2021. This abrupt change, driven by Red Hat's decision to shift focus to CentOS Stream, created significant challenges and widespread dissatisfaction within the user community.

The primary weakness of CentOS Linux 8 is its current lack of official security updates and bug fixes, rendering it unsafe for production environments without a migration plan or commercial extended support. While it was a strong performer at its release, its EOL status necessitates immediate action for continued security and stability.

Recommendations for users of CentOS Linux 8 are to migrate to a currently supported enterprise Linux distribution such as AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Alternatively, organizations can procure third-party extended support to receive ongoing security patches and maintenance, buying time for a planned transition. Continuing to operate CentOS Linux 8 without any form of active support exposes systems to significant security risks and compliance issues.

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.