What's installed on your Rocky Linux server?
- The release you pick: Rocky Linux 10, 9 or 8, from the project's official GenericCloud image
- dnf and RPM packages, with minor releases arriving through dnf update
- SELinux enforcing, as on RHEL
- The install adds no firewall rules: use the Firewall Rules tool in your panel, or set up firewalld with dnf
- The SSH server running, with root logging in using the password from your panel
- cloud-init writes the IP and password and sizes the root partition to your disk; the QEMU guest agent runs
- No web server, database or panel: you choose and install your software
What size do you need for Rocky Linux?
Rocky Linux's documentation lists 1 GB of RAM and 10 to 20 GB of disk for a minimal server, and 4 to 8 GB or more of RAM for production work. Its installer asks for 2 GB in text mode, but we use a ready-made image, and in our tests the server started on 1 GB. A clean system took about 1.4 GB of disk on 10 and 9, and about 3.7 GB on 8. Start with 1 GB for a small service, 4 GB for a website with a database and 8 GB for heavier work. RAM and CPU move both ways, and the disk only grows.
| Use | Size | Price | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 1 GB RAM · 1 vCore · 25 GB NVMe | $2.58/mo | |
| Medium | 4 GB RAM · 2 vCore · 60 GB NVMe | $6.89/mo | |
| Powerful | 8 GB RAM · 4 vCore · 120 GB NVMe | $13.62/mo |
Who is it for?
- Teams that need software from RHEL to behave the same way
- People leaving CentOS Linux for a community distribution with the same roots: its founder co-founded CentOS
- Anyone using cPanel or another panel that supports the RHEL family
- Anyone who wants a long lifecycle: Rocky Linux 10 is supported until May 2035
What happens after you order?
- Pick the release, set the size and complete your payment.
- Open your server from My servers in your panel. The IP Address, Username and Password rows are on the Overview tab.
- Connect with ssh root@your-ip. dnf may be busy for a while at first boot, and cloud-init status --wait holds until it's done.
- Run dnf update to reach the latest minor release, and restart if the kernel changed.
- If you need extra packages, enable the EPEL repository with dnf install epel-release, then install your software.
With every server
- Daily backups included in the price
- Unlimited traffic
- Full root access
- Scale RAM and CPU up or down later, and grow the disk
- Location: Istanbul · IST-1.
Good to know
- Rocky Linux 10 has active support until May 2030 and security support until May 2035. For 9, those dates are May 2027 and May 2032. Version 8 is on security support only and ends in May 2029.
- Only the latest minor release of each major version is supported. dnf update moves you to it, so don't put updates off.
- The Rocky team doesn't recommend major version upgrades and warns about data loss. Its advice is to back up your data and install the new release.
- Steps from older guides that assume SELinux is off can fail here. Before you type setenforce 0, check the audit log.
- Reinstalling from the panel wipes the disk and keeps the IP address. Copy off any files you need first.
Rocky Linux questions and answers
Should I choose Rocky Linux or AlmaLinux?
They work much the same day to day and share the same support dates. If you want behaviour identical to RHEL, that's Rocky Linux's stated goal. If you want a tool for major upgrades, look at AlmaLinux's ELevate project. Your panel and your habits often settle it.
How much RAM does Rocky Linux need?
Rocky's documentation lists 1 GB for a minimal server and 4 to 8 GB or more for production work. Start with 1 GB for a small service, look at 4 GB for a website with a database, and scale up from your panel if it isn't enough.
How do I move from Rocky Linux 9 to 10?
The Rocky team doesn't recommend major version upgrades because of the risk of data loss. It suggests backing up your data, installing the new release and restoring. You can reinstall from the panel on the same IP, or open a second server and move across.
Can Rocky Linux replace CentOS?
It was created to fill the gap CentOS Linux left: its founder co-founded CentOS, and it aims for RHEL compatibility. Most commands from older CentOS guides still work. Before you move, check that your application supports Rocky Linux.
Do I need a license for Rocky Linux?
No. Rocky Linux has no license fee and needs no registration. The project is hosted by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation, and you pay only for the server.
How do I connect to my Rocky Linux server?
The IP address and password are on the Overview tab in your panel. Run ssh root@your-ip in a terminal. If SSH isn't reachable, the VNC Console tool on the Management tab connects from your browser.