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This article is about how to choose the best operating system for your Web server in CentOS and Ubuntu. The editor thinks it is very practical, so share it with you as a reference and follow the editor to have a look.

Let's compare the two and determine which one should be used on the server / VPS. When emphasizing the pros and cons of the two major Linux distributions running the Web server, you should make a clear choice.

Linux is the open source operating system that currently powers most Internet. There are hundreds of different versions of Linux. For Web servers, the two most popular versions are Ubuntu and CentOS. Both are open source and free community-supported operating systems. You will be pleased to know that these distributions have a lot of community support, so regular updates are provided.

Unlike Windows, Linux's open source license encourages users to try the code. This flexibility has established a loyal online community dedicated to building and improving the core Linux operating system.

Ubuntu and CentOS Quick Overview of Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian Linux. The word Ubuntu comes from the Nguni Bantu language and usually means "I am who I am because of who we are." It represents the guiding ideology of Ubuntu to help people unite in the community. The developer of Canonical,Ubuntu is looking to create an easy-to-use Linux with excellent community support.

Ubuntu has a powerful application repository. It is updated frequently and is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. It is also highly customizable, from the graphical interface to Web server packages and Internet security.

CentOS's

CentOS is a Linux distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). CentOS is an acronym for community enterprise operating system. Since the birth of Linux, Red Hat Linux has been a stable and reliable distribution. It is mainly implemented in high-end corporate IT applications. CentOS continues the Red Hat-sponsored tradition of providing an extremely stable and fully tested operating system.

Like Ubuntu, CentOS is highly customizable and stable. Because of its early dominance, many conventions are built around the CentOS architecture. State-of-the-art corporate security measures are implemented in RHEL, which quickly adapt to the architecture of CentOS.

Compare the functions of CentOS and Ubuntu servers

One of the main features of CentOS and Ubuntu is that they are both free. You can download a copy for free and install it on a dedicated server.

Each version can be distributed or downloaded to a USB drive to which you can boot without making permanent changes to the operating system. The bootable drive allows you to test the system before installing it.

Basic architecture

CentOS is based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux architecture, while Ubuntu is based on Debian. This is important when viewing the package management system. Both versions use the package manager to resolve dependencies, perform installation, and track updates.

Ubuntu uses the apt package manager and installs the software from the .deb package. CentOS uses the yum package manager and installs the .rpm package. They work roughly the same way, but .deb packages cannot be installed on CentOS and vice versa.

The difference is that the software packages for both systems are available. Some packages cannot be used as efficiently on Ubuntu as they do on CentOS. When working with developers, find out what they like, because they usually tend to use only one package type (.deb or .rpm).

Another detail is the structure of each software package. When you install Apache, one of the leading Web server packages, the service works differently in Ubuntu than in CentOS. The Apache service in Ubuntu is marked as apache2, while the same service in CentOS is marked as httpd.

Software

If you strictly follow the number of packages, Ubuntu has an absolute advantage. The Ubuntu repository lists thousands of stand-alone packages available for installation. CentOS lists only a few thousand. In terms of the number of packages, Ubuntu is clearly going to win.

The flip side of this argument is that many graphics server tools, such as cPanel, are written for Red Hat-based systems. Although there are similar tools in Ubuntu, some of the most widely used tools in the industry are only available in CentOS.

Stability, security and updates

Ubuntu is updated frequently. A new version is released every six months. Ubuntu provides a LTS (long-term support) version every two years for 5 years. These different versions allow users to choose whether they want to be "the latest and greatest" or "repeatedly tested". Due to frequent updates, Ubuntu usually includes newer software in newer distributions. Using new options and technologies can be interesting, but it can also conflict with existing software and configurations.

CentOS is rarely updated. Part of the reason is that CentOS has a small development team. This is also due to extensive testing of each component prior to release. The CentOS version has been supported for ten years since the release date, including security and compatibility updates. However, the slow release cycle means that third-party software updates are not accessible. You may need to manually install third-party software or updates (if they are not already in the repository). CentOS is reliable and stable. As a core operating system, compared with Windows, it is relatively small and lightweight. This helps increase speed and reduce the amount of space the operating system takes up on the hard disk.

Both CentOS and Ubuntu are stable and secure, and patches are released regularly.

Support and troubleshootin

If there is a problem, you will need a support path. Like many enterprise IT companies, Ubuntu has paid for support options. However, another advantage is that there are many expert users in the Ubuntu forum. In general, it is easy to find solutions to common mistakes or problems.

New versions are released every six months, so full support for each version is not available. The regular version is supported within nine months from the date of release. Ordinary users may upgrade to the latest version at the time of release.

Ubuntu also releases LTS or long-term supported versions. This support has been provided for a full five years from the date of installation. These versions have patches and updates that are constantly updated, so you can install the LTS version for five years without upgrading.

Third-party providers typically manage centos support. It provides excellent documentation, as well as forums and developer blogs that can help you resolve errors. CentOS relies to some extent on its Red Hat user community to understand and manage problems.

The CentOS project is open source and is intended to be available free of charge. If you need paid support, it is recommended that you consider paying for Red Hat Enterprise licensing and support. The highlight of CentOS is its commitment to helping customers. The CentOS operating system has been supported for ten years since its release.

New versions of the operating system are released every two years. Because you can extend the cycle of a single operating system for a full decade, this frequency can help reduce the total cost of ownership. The above "support" refers to both the ability to get help from the developer and the developer's commitment to patching and updating the software.

Easy to use

Ubuntu makes every effort to make its system user-friendly. Ubuntu servers pay more attention to availability. The graphical interface is intuitive, easy to manage, and has a convenient search function. Running the utility from the command line is very simple. Most commands will recommend the correct usage, while the sudo command is easy to use to resolve the access denied error.

Where CentOS can provide some help and community support, Ubuntu has a solid support knowledge base. The support includes instructions and tutorials, as well as enthusiastic community forums.

Ubuntu uses the apt-get package manager, which uses a different syntax than yum. But the function is roughly the same. Many applications used by CentOS servers, such as cPanel, have similar alternatives for Ubuntu. Finally, Ubuntu Linux provides a more seamless software installation process. You can still make changes in the background, but will include and automatically update the most commonly used software and operating system features.

Regular updates to Ubuntu may be a responsibility. They may conflict with your existing software configuration. Using the latest technology is not always a good thing. Sometimes it is best to let someone else resolve the error before installing the update

CentOS is usually aimed at more advanced users. One disadvantage of CentOS is that the learning curve is steep. If you encounter problems, there are fewer method guides and community forums available.

You don't seem to have that much hands-on knowledge in CentOS-most guides assume you know the basics, such as sudo or basic command-line functionality. These are skills that you can learn with other Red Hat professionals or through certification.

With the help of CentOS built around the Red Hat architecture, many old-school Linux users find it more familiar and comfortable. CentOS is also widely used on Internet at the server level, so using it can help improve cross compatibility. Similarly, many CentOS server utilities, such as cPanel, are built to work only in Red Hat Linux.

CentOS or Ubuntu development

CentOS takes longer for developers to test and approve updates. This is why CentOS releases updates much more slowly than other Linux variants. If you have a strong business need for stability, or if your environment is not very tolerant of changes, this is more helpful than a faster release schedule.

Due to low and slow support for CentOS, some software updates are not applied automatically. A newer version of the software application may have been released, but it may not have been placed in the official repository. If this happens, you can be responsible for manually checking and installing security updates. Inexperienced users may find this process too difficult.

As a "out-of-the-box" operating system, Ubuntu has many different functions. There are three different versions of Ubuntu:

Desktop version for basic end users; servers via Internet or cloud computing, web hosting core, suitable for other devices (such as cars, smart TVs, etc.)

The basic installation of Ubuntu Server should include most of the applications required to configure the server to host files over the network. It also adds additional software. Such as open source office productivity software, as well as the latest kernel and operating system features.

Ubuntu's focus on functionality and usability depends on a new release every six months. This is very helpful if you want to use the latest available software. If your custom software cannot be used with newer updates, these updates may also be responsible.

Cloud deployment

Ubuntu provides excellent support for container virtualization. Compared with CentOS, it also supports cloud deployment to expand its presence in the market. Since June 2019, "Canonical announced full support for Kubernetes 1.15 kubeadm deployment, its Charmed Kubernetes and MicroK8s; 's popular Kubernetes single-node deployment."

CentOS is not out of date, but competes by offering three private cloud options. It also provides a public cloud platform through AWS. CentOS has high documentation standards and provides a mature platform for its users, so CentOS users can further apply its functions.

Game server

Unbuntu has a software package tailored for gamers called Ubuntu GamePack. It is based on Ubuntu. There is no preloaded game. Instead, PlayOnLinux,Wine,Lutric and Steam clients are pre-installed. It's like the intersection of software in which you can play games on Windows,Linux, console and Steam.

It is a mixed version of Ubuntu OS because it also supports Adobe Flash and Oracle Java. It allows seamless play of online games. It is optimized for more than 6, 000 Windows and Linux games to ensure startup and functionality in Ubuntu GamePack. If you are more familiar with Ubuntu, please choose the desktop version to play the game.

CentOS is not as popular as Ubuntu in games. If you have already used CentOS on the server, you can try to play games based on the distribution of Fedora. It is called Fedora Games Spin and is the preferred Linux distribution for CentOS / RedHat / Fedora Linux user games.

Most of the best game distributions are based on Debian / Ubuntu, but if you are committed to using CentOS, you can run it in real-time mode from USB / DVD media without installing it. It has a Xfce desktop environment and has more than 2, 000 Linux games. This is a single platform that allows you to play all Fedora games.

The CentOS and Ubuntu Linux version comparison table features CentOS's Ubuntu with strong security (further configuration is required) to support reliable documentation for considerations. An active but limited user community. Advanced documents and large support community update cycles are infrequent system core based on Redhat virtualized native KVM based on Debian cloud interface CloudStack,OpenStack,OpenNebulaOpenStack supports Xen,KVM stability high solid packaging management platform contact person for server market, large enterprises choose speed considerations for desktop users excellent (depending on hardware) file / folder structure with the same file structure System services vary from location to location with the same file / folder structure, system services vary from location to location, ease of use / medium expert level / user-friendly manageability difficulty / expert level medium / user-friendly default application updates regularly as needed

Both CentOS and Ubuntu are available free of charge. Your decision should reflect the needs and usage of your Web server.

If you are new to the server administrator, you may prefer Ubuntu. If you are an experienced professional, CentOS may be more attractive. If you like implementing new software and technologies that have been released, Ubuntu may give you an advantage. If you hate dealing with updates that damage the server, CentOS may be more appropriate. Either way, you don't have to worry about one better than the other.

Thank you for reading! This is the end of the article on "how to choose the best operating system for your Web server in CentOS and Ubuntu". I hope the above content can be of some help to you, so that you can learn more knowledge. if you think the article is good, you can share it for more people to see!

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