CentOS or Ubuntu Server?

AMDPwred · 06-19-2008, 12:24 PM

We're going to experiment with Linux for our application servers and have come down to using either CentOS or Ubuntu Server. Can anyone tell me the difference between the two? Why would you choose one over the other?

trickykid · 06-19-2008, 02:05 PM

One is RPM based, the other is based on Debian packages. Other than that, not much difference. Choose the one you're most comfortable with.

Personally, I'd choose CentOS over Ubuntu. It's based from RHEL which was designed for server use or intended for such use in a commercial corporate server environment.

Ubuntu to me is or has proven to be a great desktop distribution, I know nothing about it as a server. If I were to go the Debian path, I'd probably just use Debian before Ubuntu.

msound · 06-19-2008, 03:59 PM

Do you or your co-workers have any prior linux experience whatsoever? Go with what you know. If you have more experience with an RPM/Redhat style distro like Redhat/RHEL, CentOS, or Fedora then go with CentOS. If you have some Ubuntu/Debian/Mepis/etc. users then go with Ubuntu.

Also be sure to check and make sure that the hardware you'd like to use to supported by the OS:
https://hardware.redhat.com/
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport/

I'm personally more comfortable with CentOS so that's the OS I use and it's been good to me over the years.