What is CentOS ?
from CentOS web site:
The CentOS Linux distribution is a stable, predictable, manageable and reproduceable platform derived from the sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). We are now looking to expand on that by creating the resources needed by other communities to come together and be able to build on the CentOS Linux platform. And today we start the process by delivering a clear governance model, increased transparency and access. In the coming weeks we aim to publish our own roadmap that includes variants of the core CentOS Linux.
The CentOS Core distribution is basically [ Red Hat ] Enterprise Linux, recompiled from source.
And CERN CentOS (CC) ?
CERN CentOS (CC) is CERN customized distribution that is built on top of the CentOS Core and it is tailored to integrate within the CERN computing environment.
CERN CentOS is fully compatible with CentOS Core therefore with the [ Red Hat ] Enterprise Linux: all software used or built on one of the versions should function properly on any other version.
Which one should I use ?
If your system is installed at CERN you should definitely use CERN provided version: the CERN CentOS (CC), that is the only version we provide support for installations made on CERN site.
If your system is located outside CERN lab, you may still use CC there: CERN customizations and site integration we provide for CERN users shall be inobtrusive for others and are not activated by default if the system is installed outside CERN network: and, of course, your system will still receive all the security, enhancement and bugfix errata.
What happened to Scientific Linux CERN (SLC) ?
As described at Next Linux version @ CERN next major Linux releases (starting with version 7) at CERN will be based on CentOS Linux. Current SLC6 and SLC5 releases will continue to be supported.CERN CentOS 7.1 (CC71) release is available as of 01.04.2015.
A test CERN CentOS 7 (CC7) version is available as of 04.08.2014.
