If you’re still running production workloads on a CentOS VPS, the clock is ticking. With CentOS 7 reaching end-of-life on June 30, 2024, businesses relying on the traditional RHEL clone must now migrate — or face security risks, unsupported packages, and compliance issues.
But there’s good news: AlmaLinux and RockyLinux are both stable, community-driven successors built specifically for CentOS users who need long-term support, seamless transitions, and enterprise-grade stability.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- What CentOS EOL really means
- How it affects your Linux VPS server environment
- Two proven upgrade paths: AlmaLinux and RockyLinux
Step-by-step migration tips using PetroSky VPS templates
What Does CentOS End-of-Life Mean?
End-of-life (EOL) means:
- No more security patches or CVE fixes
- No kernel, SELinux, or systemd updates
- No support for updated versions of software like NGINX, PHP, MySQL
- Ineligible for most compliance frameworks (PCI-DSS, HIPAA)
If your CentOS VPS server is still in production post-EOL, it’s essentially running unprotected.
Why Did This Happen?
CentOS’s sponsor shifted focus toward CentOS Stream, a rolling pre-release of RHEL. While Stream is useful for developers, it’s not suited for production due to frequent kernel changes and short update cycles.
This shift left traditional CentOS users in limbo — especially those who depended on it as a free, stable RHEL alternative.
The Two Drop-In Alternatives
AlmaLinux
- Backed by CloudLinux Foundation
- 1:1 binary compatibility with RHEL
- Supported until 2029+
- Actively audited for enterprise use
- Community + commercial support available
RockyLinux
- Created by original CentOS founder
- Maintains strict ABI compatibility with RHEL
- Strong contributor ecosystem
- Supported until June 2029 (v9)
- Transparent roadmap and reproducible builds
Both distros are fully available via PetroSky’s Linux VPS server deployment templates.
Migration Readiness Checklist
Before you migrate, check:
- You’re running CentOS 7.x (64-bit)
- SSH access and full backups are enabled
- No third-party kernel modules (e.g., ZFS, NVIDIA) in critical path
- App stack is compatible with RHEL 8/9 equivalents (e.g., PHP 7.4+)
PetroSky customers can snapshot their VPS before making changes and test migration in a staging zone.
How to Convert CentOS VPS to AlmaLinux (1 Command)
AlmaLinux provides an official conversion tool:
curl -O https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux-deploy.shsudo bash almalinux-deploy.sh
Once complete, check:
cat /etc/os-releaseReboot your VPS, and you’re now running AlmaLinux with full kernel patching, SELinux policies, and repo support.
Security & Update Benefits Post-Migration
Once you’re on AlmaLinux or RockyLinux, your PetroSky Linux VPS gains:
- Active kernel CVE patches
- dnf package manager (faster, cleaner than yum)
- SELinux policy updates
- Better compatibility with systemd and container runtimes
- Upgraded OpenSSL, SSH, and networking stack
Updated Pricing Matrix (Aligned with petrosky.io)
| Distro | EOL Status | Price (2 vCPU / 4 GB) | Repo Support | Hardened Template |
| CentOS 7 | ❌ EOL | Deprecated | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| AlmaLinux 9 | ✅ 2032 | $6.99/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| RockyLinux 9 | ✅ 2032 | $6.99/mo | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
CentOS-based VPS plans are now redirected to AlmaLinux/RockyLinux templates at PetroSky.
Post-Migration Benefits (Refreshed for 2025)
- dnf replaces yum (faster, more secure)
- Full SELinux enforcement
- Real-time CVE patching
- OpenSSL 3.0+, SSH 9.x support
Compatible with Docker, Podman, systemd, etc
PetroSky Support Additions
- Snapshot rollback on all migrations
- Free guided migration for managed VPS clients
- Hardened OS images aligned with PCI-DSS and ISO 27001
- 24/7 live chat and shell-level assistance
✅ FAQs
- Will my apps break after moving from CentOS to AlmaLinux?
Unlikely. Both Alma and Rocky maintain 1:1 ABI with CentOS 8/9. Just verify third-party modules or deprecated PHP/MySQL versions. - Does PetroSky offer managed migration from CentOS?
Yes. PetroSky includes free assistance for CentOS → Alma/Rocky migrations for all managed VPS clients. - Is AlmaLinux or RockyLinux better for hosting a Linux VPS server?
Both are equally stable. Choose based on community preference or team experience — PetroSky supports both officially.
