Chapter 1: Introduction to the Transition

As the development of our own Scientific Linux nears completion, the previous CentOS will soon be discontinued. Consequently, the research institutions Cern and Fermilab have decided to migrate to AlmaLinux as their primary Linux distribution, as noted by Fermilab. The announcement indicates that AlmaLinux will be endorsed as "the standard distribution for experiments in our facilities" moving forward.

This decision is based on the latest discussions and experiences shared among experiments and various stakeholders. While AlmaLinux will take center stage, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), which requires a subscription, will still be utilized for certain services and applications.

AlmaLinux serves as a binary-compatible downstream fork of Red Hat’s Enterprise Linux, effectively offering users the same benefits that CentOS previously provided. The AlmaLinux project emerged in response to Red Hat's choice to discontinue the traditional CentOS model, aiming to sustain a long-term vision for its community.

Section 1.1: Historical Context

Historically, these prominent research organizations collaboratively developed the RHEL clone, Scientific Linux, with input from the scientific community over several years. Eventually, Cern transitioned to CentOS, and in 2019, Fermilab announced its decision to cease support for Scientific Linux in favor of CentOS.

With the discontinuation of classic CentOS, it became essential for stakeholders to identify a suitable alternative. Both Fermilab's current version 7 of Scientific Linux and Cern's CentOS will continue to receive support until their official end of life in June 2024.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Rise of AlmaLinux

Commenting on their choice, stakeholders noted: "AlmaLinux has recently gained traction within the community due to its extended lifecycle for each major release, broadened architecture support, rapid release cycle, contributions from the upstream community, and support for security advisories. It has demonstrated perfect compatibility with other rebuilds and Red Hat Enterprise Linux during testing."

Chapter 2: Moving Forward with AlmaLinux

The video titled "CERN & Fermilab use AlmaLinux. Why Don't You?" provides insights into the reasons behind this transition and explores the benefits of adopting AlmaLinux within these prominent research institutions.