The author reflects on CERN's recent decision to deploy Debian 13 across 2,200+ accelerator systems by end of 2026, arguing that the earlier abandonment of Scientific Linux by CERN and Fermilab was a mistake. While AlmaLinux and RHEL remain dominant at CERN, the shift highlights the unique value Scientific Linux once provided to the high-energy physics community through its stable, freely redistributable enterprise-grade environment.
Background
Scientific Linux was a community-maintained rebuild of RHEL source code, widely adopted by research labs like CERN and Fermilab for its stability and lack of commercial licensing requirements. It was effectively discontinued in 2019 as CentOS shifted direction, leaving a gap in the scientific computing ecosystem.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Sep 23, 2026 at 05:53 PM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10