CentOS Stream 9

Basic Information

Red Hat CentOS Stream 9 is a Linux distribution serving as the upstream development platform for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 9. It operates on a continuous delivery, rolling-release model, providing early access to updates and features destined for future RHEL releases.

• Model: CentOS Stream 9
• Version: 9
• Release Date: December 3, 2021
• Minimum Requirements: Generally, a 64-bit processor, at least 2 GB of RAM, and sufficient storage (20 GB recommended).
• Supported Architectures: x86_64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x.
• Latest Stable Version: As a rolling-release distribution, CentOS Stream 9 continuously receives updates rather than having distinct stable versions.
• End of Support Date: Estimated to be May 31, 2027, aligning with the end of the RHEL 9 full support phase.
• End of Life Date: Estimated to be May 31, 2027, mirroring RHEL 9's end of life.
• Auto-Update Expiration Date: Updates are continuous until the estimated end of life date.
• License Type: Open Source.
• Deployment Model: Continuous delivery distribution, primarily used as an upstream development platform for RHEL. It supports deployment on bare metal, virtual machines, and containers.

Technical Requirements

• RAM: Minimum 2 GB, with 4 GB or more recommended for optimal performance.
• Processor: A 64-bit processor is required, with a minimum speed of 1 GHz. A 2 GHz or higher processor is recommended. It specifically requires x86_64-v2 compatible CPUs.
• Storage: A minimum of 20 GB of disk space is required for installation, with 40 GB or more recommended. For server applications or data-intensive tasks, Solid State Drives (SSDs) are advisable for improved performance.
• Display: Basic VGA support is sufficient for command-line interfaces. For a Graphical User Interface (GUI), a modern graphics card with at least 512 MB of VRAM and a minimum resolution of 1024x768 is recommended.
• Ports: Network connectivity is essential for installation and updates. USB ports are typically needed for creating bootable installation media.
• Operating System: CentOS Stream 9 is the operating system itself, designed to run on compatible hardware.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

CentOS Stream 9's technical requirements are generally modest for basic operation, aligning with typical enterprise Linux distributions. The emphasis on 64-bit architecture and x86_64-v2 CPU compatibility indicates a focus on modern hardware platforms. Recommended specifications significantly enhance the user experience and performance, especially when running a GUI or handling server workloads.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: CentOS Stream 9 is a continuously updated distribution, meaning it always provides the latest features and security patches within its development cycle.
• OS Support: As an operating system, CentOS Stream 9 supports various hardware architectures including x86_64-v2, ARM64, ppc64le, and s390x. It also serves as a robust base for containerization environments, supporting technologies like Podman, Buildah, and Skopeo.
• End of Support Date: May 31, 2027.
• Localization: Supports multiple languages and time zones, configurable during the installation process.
• Available Drivers: Built on the Linux kernel 5.14.x, it offers improved hardware support. Red Hat selectively back-ports hardware support to the kernel based on customer needs.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

CentOS Stream 9 benefits from strong support due to its direct alignment with RHEL development. Its rolling-release model ensures continuous updates, providing access to newer features and drivers. However, this "upstream" nature means it prioritizes the integration of new features over the long-term, fixed stability of a traditional release. While hardware compatibility is generally good, very new hardware might require kernel versions newer than the 5.14.x base, which may not be immediately available.

Security Status

• Security Features: Includes robust SELinux with updated modules and policies, native support for Integrity Measurement Architecture (IMA), and OpenSSL 3.0. It also features firewall configuration via firewalld and adheres to security hardening best practices.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Security fixes for "Important" or "Critical" CVEs are initially released in RHEL and subsequently pulled into CentOS Stream. Other CVE fixes are integrated into Stream as they become available.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable; CentOS Stream 9 is a legitimate open-source operating system.
• Certifications: While specific certifications for CentOS Stream are not explicitly detailed, its close relationship and role as an upstream for RHEL imply adherence to high security standards.
• Encryption Support: Supports disk encryption using technologies like PGP and Public-Key Cryptography or OpenSSL. System-wide cryptographic policies are also available for enhanced security.
• Authentication Methods: Standard Linux authentication methods are supported, with recommendations for strong password policies and restricted root access.
• General Recommendations: Best practices include implementing regular backups, disabling unnecessary services, setting strong passwords, keeping software up-to-date, configuring firewalls, utilizing LVM and RAID for data redundancy, and continuous system monitoring.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

CentOS Stream 9 maintains a high security standard, inheriting many features and best practices from Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The continuous update model ensures timely integration of security patches, although critical RHEL-first patches introduce a slight delay. Strong default security mechanisms like SELinux and IMA, combined with recommended hardening practices, contribute to a secure operating environment.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific benchmark scores are not widely published for CentOS Stream 9, but its performance is generally expected to align closely with RHEL 9, given its role as an upstream development platform.
• Real-World Performance Metrics: Described as fast and responsive, offering decent overall performance. Memory consumption on idle can be moderate, particularly with the GNOME 40 desktop environment (around 1.6 GB).
• Power Consumption: Not specifically detailed, but overall performance results are generally considered "decent."
• Carbon Footprint: Data for the carbon footprint of an operating system is not typically available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Compared to traditional CentOS Linux, CentOS Stream 9 offers much newer packages and features. It is positioned ahead of stable RHEL releases in terms of package versions. Alternatives like AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux are binary-compatible rebuilds of RHEL, offering a more traditional, stable release cycle for production environments.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

CentOS Stream 9 delivers solid performance, benefiting from updated core packages and kernel enhancements (Linux kernel 5.14.x). Its rolling-release nature means it often includes newer software versions, potentially offering performance improvements over older, fixed-release distributions. While generally fast and responsive, its resource usage with a GUI like GNOME 40 can be moderate. Its performance profile is primarily geared towards development and testing, providing a continuous preview of RHEL's future performance characteristics.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for CentOS Stream 9 highlight its role as a dynamic and evolving platform.

• Strengths: Users appreciate its stability for an upstream distribution and its straightforward installation process, which includes various security options. The continuous updates and early access to RHEL features are highly valued by developers and those looking to stay current with Red Hat's ecosystem. It fosters strong community contribution and is considered excellent for development and testing environments, including use as a container OS.
• Weaknesses: A significant concern is its suitability for critical production environments. Due to its rolling-release nature and the potential for breaking changes, it is not recommended for scenarios demanding rock-solid stability. Its support lifecycle is shorter compared to traditional RHEL or its stable clones. Some users note that memory consumption can be relatively high when running a GUI like GNOME 40.
• Recommended Use Cases: CentOS Stream 9 is ideal for developers, testing environments, and organizations that need to closely follow RHEL development and contribute to its ecosystem. It is also well-suited for containerized applications. For critical production systems where extreme stability and a longer, predictable support cycle are paramount, RHEL or its stable, binary-compatible clones (such as AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux) are generally preferred.

Summary

Red Hat CentOS Stream 9 represents a significant evolution in the CentOS ecosystem, transitioning from a rebuild of RHEL to an upstream, continuous delivery distribution. Released on December 3, 2021, it serves as the development branch for future RHEL 9.x releases, offering developers and the community early access to features and updates. Its estimated end of life is May 31, 2027, aligning with RHEL 9's full support phase.

The asset requires a minimum of 2 GB RAM and a 64-bit x86_64-v2 compatible processor, with recommendations for 4 GB RAM and a 2 GHz CPU for better performance. Storage needs start at 20 GB, with 40 GB or more recommended. It supports multiple architectures, including ARM64, ppc64le, and s390x.

CentOS Stream 9 boasts robust security features, including advanced SELinux, Integrity Measurement Architecture (IMA), and OpenSSL 3.0. It benefits from continuous security updates, though critical RHEL-first patches introduce a slight delay. Performance is generally fast and responsive, driven by updated core packages and the Linux kernel 5.14.x.

Strengths include its role as an excellent development and testing platform, providing a continuous stream of RHEL-bound innovations. It fosters strong community involvement and offers timely updates. Its security posture is strong, inheriting many features from RHEL.

Weaknesses primarily stem from its rolling-release nature, making it less suitable for production environments that demand absolute, long-term stability without potential breaking changes. Its support lifecycle, while substantial, is shorter than traditional RHEL releases.

Recommendations: CentOS Stream 9 is highly recommended for developers, testers, and organizations that wish to actively participate in or closely monitor the development of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. It is an ideal environment for prototyping, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, and container-based workloads. For critical production systems requiring maximum stability and a predictable, extended support lifecycle, Red Hat Enterprise Linux or its stable, binary-compatible derivatives (like AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux) remain the preferred choices.

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.