No, Aliyun Linux release 2.1903 LTS is NOT CentOS.
Key Facts:
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Origin:
Aliyun Linux is a Linux distribution developed by Alibaba Cloud (Aliyun), specifically optimized for cloud environments and Alibaba Cloud services. -
Base:
- Aliyun Linux 2.x is based on CentOS 7 (specifically CentOS 7.6/7.9 kernel and user-space components).
- However, it has been significantly modified, stripped of non-essential packages, and customized for performance, security, and compatibility with Alibaba Cloud infrastructure.
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Not Officially CentOS:
- It is not maintained by the CentOS Project or Red Hat.
- It does not receive updates from CentOS/RHEL repositories directly.
- After CentOS 8 was discontinued in December 2021, Alibaba continued to maintain Aliyun Linux 2 with long-term support (LTS) independently.
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Compatibility:
- Aliyun Linux 2 is binary-compatible with CentOS 7 in most cases, so RPMs built for CentOS 7 generally work.
- But it is not identical to CentOS, and some dependencies or behaviors may differ.
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Future:
- Alibaba has been transitioning newer versions (e.g., Aliyun Linux 3) toward AlmaLinux/Rocky Linux or other community-driven RHEL clones, especially after the CentOS Stream shift.
Summary:
✅ Aliyun Linux 2.1903 LTS is derived from CentOS 7, but it is not CentOS itself. It is an independent, cloud-optimized distribution by Alibaba Cloud.
If you need a direct CentOS replacement today, consider AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux, which are community-backed successors to CentOS.
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