FreeBSD vs CentOS?

Can anyone shed some light on this?

I am planning on learning some Linux, and I've heard good things about CentOS as a server host, but after having a conversation with a Sys. Admin, he preaches that FreeBSD is the way to go.

I am a total newbie at Linux/Unix, but plan to learn and develop as I go (Can't always depend on M$)

What are peoples thoughts on FreeBSD / CentOS?

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

stryder144

If you are interested in sitting for a Linux certification, such as Linux+ or RHCSA, then you will need CentOS. Either OS should be a good learning tool and I doubt, in the beginning, that you'd notice a significant difference between them.

linuxlover

Again one of those apples vs oranges threads. Well, first of all FreeBSD is not Linux so if you want to learn Linux, go with CentOS, Debian or Ubuntu. Second, I don't pretend to work with Linux commercially but I don't know what your sys admin does in his day to day to job to recommend you FreeBSD as a server OS. Thirdly, why not learn both at the same time and see for yourself what suits you best? My guess is Linux.

gc8dc95

CentOS is pretty much the same as RedHat, which is what you will see used in a large amount of Linux deployments and the well known certs are also RedHat based.

I have never heard of FreeBSD being recommended for learning Linux, since it is not really Linux.

antielvis

To the OP

FreeBSD is usually used as a web based platform whereas Linux is used in web stuff (LAMP) and on corporate networks. If you intend to work in a web based environment, knowing FreeBSD won't hurt. If you're working for ABC Big Corp on their Linux team, knowing FreeBSD probably won't do much. There is a FreeBSD certification available if you're interested. I recall reading that many of the largest internet corps (Google, Yahoo, etc) used FreeBSD. It's rock solid too.

[Deleted User]

Depends on what you want out of your distro. I am also wanting to learn more about Linux/UNIX as well. If you want more Network Administration, I would recommend Kali/BackTrack. If you want a move general overview, maybe some CentOS/Linux Mint. My distro of choice personally just for screwing around is GRML.

LittleBIT

thanks for all your replies.

I am not sitting for any kind of cert - this is more towards self learning. I picked up both copies, didn't know FreeBSD has no GUI (Womp womp).

I also picked up Kali/Backtrack for my security pursuit.

I suppose I'll start with CentOS. I do understand that Linux/Unix (CentOS/FreeBSD) are two different things but again, as was said, Apples v Oranges.

I thank everyone for their replies!

linuxlover

What do you mean FreeBSD doesn't have GUI?

LittleBIT

I downloaded the ISO and installed it on a VM and it's all command line :X

Did I install something wrong? Lol

Well, after doing a little searching I guess you have to install it? Idk what i'm doing Lol. I'm a newbie

linuxlover

I don't know how your installation went but you can do "sysinstall" and go to packages there and install whichever desktop you prefer. The last FreeBSD I used was 4.7 and back then you'd have to configure to boot into GUI, I don't know how things stand today. Just as a reminder.

UnixGuy

Learn CentOS, you will see it used a lot commercially.

KenC

Learning on CentOS and then getting to know the differences between using a BSD OS would be time well spent.

Trashman

FreeBSD or CentOS | FreeBSD News

Bryzey

Centos is what I used along with debian.

Santa_

Not to hi-jack the OP thread, just curious what others say. I've installed Arch successfully, but haven't done much at this point. I saw this thread and thought I would ask before I play within Arch.

Would anyone recommended Arch over CentOS? Is it just as a good OS to learn Linux? Is it a good OS to study for the Linux+?

Bryzey

Arch is bleeding edge so you will not see it in the enterprise where as Centos is identical to red hat so it depends on what you want to achieve.

Arch is fine to learn Linux but if you want to apply it in the workplace I'd definitely go Centos.

It's not going to cut it for linux+ either as you need to learn deb and rpm based package managers etc.. Arch uses pacman I believe so you won't be studying exam objectives.

LittleBIT

Thank you everyone for your replies. For now, I am going to try and utilize both FreeBSD and CentOS. I do like FreeNAS and the their firewall OS that you can utilize via FreeBSD, but man am I useless without a GUI (Sad, I know).

CentOS seems user friendly, just picked up a cook book for it, going to see what cool things I can do with it.

I might just put my MCSA Serv 2012 on hold for now to pick up this stuff, I am bored of MS Products...

To never-ending learning!

gkca

LittleBIT wrote: »

but man am I useless without a GUI (Sad, I know).

That's easy to fix, just grab this free ebook and you'll be fine with no GUI very soon: Download LinuxCommand from SourceForge.net