Rocky Linux Releases
Track Rocky Linux releases, CentOS migration context, RHEL alignment, version compatibility, and CentOS Stream vs Rocky vs AlmaLinux comparison.
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Total Versions
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Supported
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Latest
Version Timeline
All tracked releases with lifecycle status and EOL dates.
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Lifecycle Timeline
Visual overview of active support and maintenance windows.
Upgrade Paths
Migration guidance between major versions — breaking changes, effort estimates, and tips.
Breaking Changes
- No in-place migration from CentOS 7
- Fresh installation required
- Python 2 removed (Python 3.9/3.11 only)
- iptables replaced by nftables
- System-wide crypto policies (RHEL 9 defaults)
- Package name changes and removals
Migration Notes
CentOS 7 EOL was June 2024. There is no migration script. Plan a fresh Rocky 9 install, migrate configs and data manually. Use Ansible/Puppet to automate the rebuild if you have many servers. This is the most painful upgrade in the RHEL ecosystem.
Breaking Changes
- Kernel 5.14 (from 4.18)
- Python 3.9 minimum (3.6 removed)
- nftables fully default
- OpenSSL 3.0
- Network scripts deprecated (use NetworkManager)
- SELinux policy updates
Migration Notes
Use the leapp upgrade tool (ELevate project by AlmaLinux, works for Rocky too). In-place upgrade is possible but requires careful testing. The leapp tool checks for known incompatibilities before upgrading. Budget 2-3 hours per server including testing. A fresh install is often faster and cleaner.
Version Risk Assessment
Evaluate risk factors before choosing a version for production.
| Version | EOL Risk | CVE Risk | Ecosystem | Cloud Support | Overall | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Linux 8.x (old point) | Medium | Low | Active | Full | Medium | Update to latest 8.x point release |
| Rocky Linux 8.x (latest) | Low | Low | Active | Full | Low | Maintenance until May 2029 |
| Rocky Linux 9.x (old point) | Medium | Low | Active | Full | Medium | Update to latest 9.x point release |
| Rocky Linux 9.5 (latest) | None | Low | Active | Full | Low | Current — recommended |
Rocky follows RHEL 10-year lifecycle. Point releases within a major version get patches. Only the latest point release is actively maintained. Assessed March 2026.
Rocky Linux Version Comparison
Side-by-side feature differences across major versions.
| Feature | 8.x | 9.x |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel | 4.18 | 5.14 |
| Python | 3.6 / 3.8 / 3.9 | 3.9 / 3.11 / 3.12 |
| OpenSSL | 1.1.1 | 3.0 |
| GCC | 8 | 11 |
| Firewall default | iptables/nft | nftables |
| SELinux policy | Stable | Updated |
| Container tools | Podman 4.x | Podman 4.x/5.x |
| Network management | NetworkManager + scripts | NetworkManager only |
| Full support until | May 2024 | May 2027 |
| Maint support until | May 2029 | May 2032 |
Embed Badges
Add live Rocky Linux status badges to your README, docs, or dashboard.
Health Status
Overall support health
EOL Countdown
Next end-of-life date
Latest Version
Current stable release
CVE Status
Known vulnerabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rocky Linux releases and lifecycle.