Fermi Linux
Encyclopedia
Fermi Linux is the generic name for Linux distributions that are created and used at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab)
. These releases have gone through different names: Fermi Linux, Fermi Linux LTS, LTS, Scientific Linux Fermi, SLF. At the current time, the only officially supported Fermi Linux is Scientific Linux Fermi, which is based on Scientific Linux
.
Fermi Linux >
month-date year
Number (Official)
Name
August 31, 1998
Fermi Linux 5.0.2
n/a
August 16, 1999
Fermi Linux 5.2.1
Charm
April 7, 2000
Fermi Linux 6.1.1
Strange
August 29, 2001
Fermi Linux 7.1.1
Top
September 13, 2002
Fermi Linux 7.3.1
Bottom
April 7, 2003
Fermi Linux 9.0.1
Up
August 27, 2003
Fermi Linux 7.1.2
Top
January 26, 2004
Fermi Linux LTS 3.0.1
Feynman
February 27, 2004
Fermi Linux 7.3.2
Bottom
October 1, 2004
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.3
Feynman
February 22, 2005
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.4
Feynman
August 29, 2005
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.5
Feynman
September 20, 2005
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 4.1
Feynman
January 25, 2006
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 4.2
Beryllium
October 25, 2006
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 4.4
Feynman
November 10, 2006
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.8
Beryllium
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS (LongTermSupport) 3.0.x
Scientific Linux Fermi 4.x
, recompiled.
What the workers in Fermilab
have done is taken the source code from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (in srpm form) and recompiled them. The resulting binaries (now in rpm form) are then theirs to do with as they desire as long as they follow the License from that original source code, which they are doing.
They are choosing to bundle all these binaries into a linux distribution that is as close to Red Hat Enterprise Linux as they can get it. The goal is to ensure that if a program runs and is certified on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, then it will run on the corresponding Fermi Linux LTS release.
They have built Fermi Linux LTS for Fermilab's use, and that is their ultimate goal. But they have no problems with others benefiting from their work. They have spearheaded Scientific Linux
for those that want the stability of Fermi Linux LTS, but without all the Fermi modifications.
They do not have anything setup to support those not affiliated with Fermilab.
If you are not a Fermilab affiliate, you might want to check out Scientific Linux
.
Fermilab
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory , located just outside Batavia, Illinois, near Chicago, is a US Department of Energy national laboratory specializing in high-energy particle physics...
. These releases have gone through different names: Fermi Linux, Fermi Linux LTS, LTS, Scientific Linux Fermi, SLF. At the current time, the only officially supported Fermi Linux is Scientific Linux Fermi, which is based on Scientific Linux
Scientific Linux
Scientific Linux is a Linux distribution produced by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research...
.
History
Distributions released were:Support policy
Updates for supported releases are currently available without any restrictions.Scientific Linux Fermi LTS (LongTermSupport) 3.0.x
- Fermi Linux LTS 3.0.1 was released January 26, 2004
- Support should continue until at least October 31, 2007
Scientific Linux Fermi 4.x
- Scientific Linux Fermi 4.1 was released September 20, 2005
- Support should continue until at least October 31, 2008
Fermi Linux LTS
Fermi Linux LTS (Long Term Support) is in essence Red Hat Enterprise LinuxRed Hat Enterprise Linux
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is a Linux-based operating system developed by Red Hat and targeted toward the commercial market. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is released in server versions for x86, x86-64, Itanium, PowerPC and IBM System z, and desktop versions for x86 and x86-64...
, recompiled.
What the workers in Fermilab
Fermilab
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory , located just outside Batavia, Illinois, near Chicago, is a US Department of Energy national laboratory specializing in high-energy particle physics...
have done is taken the source code from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (in srpm form) and recompiled them. The resulting binaries (now in rpm form) are then theirs to do with as they desire as long as they follow the License from that original source code, which they are doing.
They are choosing to bundle all these binaries into a linux distribution that is as close to Red Hat Enterprise Linux as they can get it. The goal is to ensure that if a program runs and is certified on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, then it will run on the corresponding Fermi Linux LTS release.
They have built Fermi Linux LTS for Fermilab's use, and that is their ultimate goal. But they have no problems with others benefiting from their work. They have spearheaded Scientific Linux
Scientific Linux
Scientific Linux is a Linux distribution produced by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research...
for those that want the stability of Fermi Linux LTS, but without all the Fermi modifications.
They do not have anything setup to support those not affiliated with Fermilab.
If you are not a Fermilab affiliate, you might want to check out Scientific Linux
Scientific Linux
Scientific Linux is a Linux distribution produced by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the European Organization for Nuclear Research...
.