Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - RLC¶

What do I get when I buy Rocky Linux from CIQ?¶

RLC includes all repositories available from the RESF with CIQ-built images, isos, and Container Images. Mirrors are available to RLC customers across regions and clouds, with a convenient script available for pointing your instances at the correct repositories. Subscriptions and team access can be managed through the CIQ website.

Subscribers to RLC get access to the following services:

Access to the latest versions of the enterprise-grade, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) compatible Rocky Linux.
Commercially-backed mirrors based in the US and available close to your servers.
Two additional repos - CIQ Extras and CIQ Fast Track - which contain tools like migration scripts and will contain security patches if and when necessary.
Indemnification for claims of infringement related to use of open source software.
Critical security issues and CVEs will be provided through the CIQ Fast Track if there is a risk of SLO breach (one month after a fix is released upstream).
A migration script which can be used to point your existing instances to RLC repositories or back to community repositories as needed.

What is the cost of RLC?¶

RLC is priced at $25k regardless of how many instances are deployed. There are no additional costs or hidden fees.

Is support available for RLC?¶

Yes. Linux support from CIQ is available as an add-on.

Can I use the same RLC license for the cloud and on-prem?¶

If RLC subscription is purchased through CIQ, the license can be used on any cloud marketplace. If an RLC subscription is purchased through a cloud marketplace, it can only be used in that marketplace.

Is it truly unlimited?¶

There is a 10TB egress limit annually, at which point you will engage with CIQ Account Managers for options.

What versions of RLC are available?¶

Rocky Linux from CIQ always provides the latest versions of Rocky Linux 8 and Rocky Linux 9.

How often will I upgrade?¶

The upgrade cycle for RLC follows the six-month minor release cycle for Rocky 9, while Rocky 8 is at its final version of 8.10 through 2029. CIQ recommends updating at least once per week to get the latest package updates containing bug and CVE fixes.

Where do I get RLC?¶

RLC is available from the cloud marketplaces (AWS, OCI, Azure, and GCP) and through the CIQ for on-premise usage.

What specific steps does CIQ take to validate the supply chain?¶

CIQ tests new builds of Rocky Linux and verifies that the packages in the repositories are cryptographically validated. CIQ also validates that the dependencies are met and come from the original Rocky Linux source.

Why is it better to get through CIQ instead of the community?¶

CIQ is a founding and ongoing sponsor of Rocky Linux. We strongly encourage everyone to try and use Rocky Linux from the community, it is a great product. Depending on your use case, there is no reason not to get Rocky from the community. For businesses seeking to mitigate risk or satisfy requirements, their OS needs to come from a private entity which provides guarantees the community cannot or will not provide.

How does CIQ contribute back to the community?¶

CIQ sponsors Rocky Linux and gives back significant development efforts to the community. In particular, Long Term Support (LTS) patches are contributed back and the 140-3 FIPS certification is a gift to the community.

What hardware platforms are supported?¶

RLC supports x86_64 and aarch64.

How do I get patches?¶

A simple dnf update will keep you up to date.

What if I already have Rocky Linux installed?¶

Once subscribed to Rocky Linux From CIQ (RLC), you will have access to a script which can be used to point your repos at the correct sources on your existing instance.

What package management systems are supported?¶

Rocky Linux is an RPM-based Linux distribution that uses DNF as its preferred package management tool.

Where are subscriptions managed?¶

Subscriptions are managed through the CIQ interface or through your Cloud Marketplace account, depending on where it was purchased.

What happens if a subscription lapses?¶

You will lose access to the repository and will no longer be covered by CIQ.

How do I migrate from a different distribution?¶

There are many ways to migrate to Rocky Linux. If you seek professional guidance on the move, please contact sales@ciq.com.

What is the process for upgrading between versions?¶

Minor version upgrades happen naturally over the course of time, with no action required.

What makes RLC different from other enterprise Linux distributions?¶

RLC provides:

Same Rocky Linux: No technical differences from community Rocky Linux
Commercial Guarantees: SLOs for security updates and support
Supply Chain Validation: CIQ-verified packages and build process
Indemnification: Legal protection for open source usage
Flat-rate Pricing: Unlimited deployments for a fixed annual cost
US-based Support: Predominantly US-based development and support team

Can I use RLC in containers?¶

Yes, RLC includes container images and works perfectly with:

Docker containers
Kubernetes deployments
OpenShift environments
Podman and other container runtimes

What compliance standards does RLC meet?¶

RLC helps organizations meet various compliance requirements:

SOC 2 compliance support
FISMA compliance capabilities
PCI DSS requirements
HIPAA compliance support
FedRAMP readiness

How does RLC compare to Red Hat Enterprise Linux?¶

RLC is bug-for-bug compatible with RHEL but offers:

Lower cost: Flat-rate pricing vs per-socket licensing
No vendor lock-in: Open source foundation
Flexible licensing: Use across multiple environments
Community backing: Strong open source community support

What support options are available?¶

CIQ offers multiple support tiers:

Community Support: Documentation and forums
Professional Support: Enterprise-grade technical support
Premium Support: Dedicated support engineers
Custom Support: Tailored support agreements

How do I migrate from CentOS to RLC?¶

Migration options include:

In-place migration: Using migration tools
Fresh installation: Clean RLC installation
Gradual migration: Migrate services incrementally
Professional services: CIQ-assisted migration

See our Migration Guide for detailed instructions.

What training is available for RLC?¶

CIQ offers:

Online documentation: Comprehensive guides and tutorials
Professional training: Instructor-led courses
Custom training: Tailored to your organization
Certification programs: Industry-recognized certifications

How do I get started with RLC?¶

To get started:

Contact Sales: Discuss your requirements with CIQ
Choose licensing: Select appropriate subscription tier
Access Depot: Download installation media
Install/Migrate: Follow installation or migration guides
Configure: Set up your environment

What's the difference between RLC, RLC-H, and RLC-AI?¶

RLC: Standard Rocky Linux with commercial guarantees
RLC-H: Security-hardened version with enhanced protection
RLC-AI: AI-optimized version with ML frameworks and optimizations

Each product targets different use cases while maintaining full RHEL compatibility.

Can I try RLC before purchasing?¶

Yes, CIQ offers:

Evaluation licenses: Limited-time trials
Proof of concept: Testing in your environment
Demo environments: Guided demonstrations
Technical consultations: Pre-sales technical discussions

Contact sales@ciq.com for evaluation options.

How does billing work?¶

RLC billing is:

Annual subscription: Paid yearly in advance
Flat rate: Same cost regardless of deployment size
No per-instance fees: Deploy on unlimited systems
Cloud marketplace: Alternative billing through cloud providers

What happens during maintenance windows?¶

During scheduled maintenance:

Repository updates: New packages and security fixes
Service continuity: No interruption to running systems
Advance notice: Scheduled maintenance notifications
Support availability: Technical support remains available

For additional questions, contact CIQ support or visit our documentation.