Several applications require a specific release of Linux on which to run, such as RHEL 5 x64, Update 4.
Theoretically, CentOS 5.4 x64 should be exactly the same as the RHEL variant – since the CentOS project endeavours to be 100% binary compatible with RHEL.
Likewise, Oracle Enterprise Linux should be identical – but many applications will fail to work properly when not running on the "proper" distribution.
The cheap fix of just installing the appropriate redhat-release
rpm is not always effective either.
Under the hood, what are the real differences between RHEL and the repackaged editions?
Best Answer
Outside of the philosophy between RHEL vs. CentOS it can be many reasons, but I feel the largest components are: