Enterprise-Grade Linux Operating System

Rocky Linux is a production-ready, enterprise-grade operating system designed to deliver stability, reliability, and long-term support for a wide range of workloads. It is preinstalled and ready to deploy on Azure Virtual Machines, allowing users to quickly spin up enterprise environments optimized for performance and security in the cloud.

At its core, Rocky Linux is a community-driven project—built by the community, for the community. The development process is entirely open and transparent, ensuring that contributions are welcomed from anyone willing to participate. This collaborative model fosters innovation and inclusivity, empowering individuals and organizations to help shape the operating system’s ongoing evolution.

Use Cases of Rocky Linux

• Server Management: Provides a stable, RHEL-compatible platform ideal for running web, database, and other critical servers.
• Cloud Computing: Offers a reliable and cost-efficient base for both public and private cloud environments.
• Desktop Use: Developers and power users choose it for its secure, customizable, and stable desktop experience.

Advantages of Rocky Linux

• Binary Compatibility with RHEL: Ensures seamless migration by fully matching RHEL’s binaries, tools, and documentation.
• Security and Stability: Regular updates and enterprise-grade reliability make it a trustworthy choice for production systems.
• Continuation of CentOS Legacy: Preserves the CentOS tradition by offering a familiar, dependable platform for former CentOS users.

Rocky Linux 10 – Highlights

• Modern Architecture Support: Supports x86-64-v3, RISC-V, ARM64, POWER9, IBM z14; drops older x86-64-v2 CPUs.
• Installer Upgrades: Root disabled by default, RDP replaces VNC, simpler setup UI.
• Updated Kernel: Linux 6.12 with improved scheduling and security; deprecated features disabled.
• Networking Overhaul: NetworkManager replaces legacy scripts; Kea DHCP replaces ISC DHCP; bonding replaces NIC teaming.
• Storage Changes: No GFS2 support; enhanced LUKS2 encryption with cryptsetup 2.7.
• Stronger Security: Post-Quantum Cryptography, stricter SSH key permissions, updated SELinux policies.
• Virtualization & Containers: Modular libvirtd, Cockpit replaces Virtual Machine Manager, Podman 5 supports cgroups v2 with crun.
• Software Management: RPM 4.19 with new sorting, DNF omits filelist metadata, modularity phased out.
• Desktop Refresh: Wayland replaces X.Org; key apps replaced/removed with Flatpak alternatives.
• Infrastructure Updates: Redis replaced by Valkey1; Sendmail deprecated in favor of Postfix.
• Latest Languages & Servers: Python 3.12, PHP 8.3, Apache 2.4.63, MariaDB 10.11, PostgreSQL 16.8.

Disclaimer: This VM contains free, open-source software. We don’t provide commercial licenses for the products mentioned. Trademarks are for identification only and don’t imply endorsement or affiliation.

Rocky Linux® is the registered trademark of the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.