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Getting Started with RLC

Rocky Linux from CIQ (RLC) is a commercially-backed Linux distribution that provides the same Rocky Linux you know and love, enhanced with enterprise-grade service level objectives, supply chain validation, and indemnification. This guide will help you get started with RLC.

What is RLC?

RLC is the same Rocky Linux you know and love — a bug-for-bug compatible version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) — with value-added services that include:

  • Service Level Objectives (SLO): Security patches within 30 days of release
  • Supply Chain Validation: Packages verified by CIQ for secure deployment
  • Indemnification: Legal peace of mind for claims of infringement related to open source software
  • Unlimited Deployments: Deploy across on-premise and cloud environments at no additional cost
  • US-Based Support: Predominantly US-based development team and support

Key Benefits

Commercial Guarantees

  • Predictable Updates: Business-critical updates delivered within one month of enterprise Linux point releases
  • Security SLOs: Critical security vulnerabilities addressed within 30 days
  • Supply Chain Trust: CIQ tests and validates all packages before deployment

Enterprise Features

  • Professional Support: Available enterprise Linux support with SLAs
  • Indemnification: Protection against open source software infringement claims
  • Dedicated Repositories: US-based content mirrors with priority access
  • Migration Tools: Scripts to migrate from community Rocky Linux

Accessing CIQ Depot

RLC installation media and VM images can be downloaded from CIQ's Depot portal:

  1. Navigate to https://depot.ciq.com/ and select 'My Products' from the left-hand navigation
  2. Login with the credentials provided via email: Organization Username and Token
  3. On the My Products Page, select 'Rocky Linux from CIQ'
  4. Download the ISOs and checksum files of your choice
  5. Follow the Installation Guide to complete the setup

Migration from Community Rocky Linux

If you already have Rocky Linux installed, you can easily migrate to RLC:

  1. Subscribe to RLC: Purchase a subscription through CIQ or cloud marketplace
  2. Access Migration Script: Download the repository migration script from CIQ Depot
  3. Run Migration: Execute the script to point your repositories to RLC sources
  4. Update System: Run dnf update to get the latest RLC packages
  5. Verify Migration: Confirm you're receiving updates from CIQ repositories

Migration Process

# Step 1: Backup current repository configuration
sudo cp -r /etc/yum.repos.d /etc/yum.repos.d.backup

# Step 2: Add RLC repositories
sudo cat > /etc/yum.repos.d/rlc.repo << 'EOF'
[rlc-baseos]
name=Rocky Linux from CIQ - BaseOS
baseurl=https://depot.ciq.com/rlc/baseos/$releasever/$basearch/
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://depot.ciq.com/keys/RPM-GPG-KEY-CIQ

[rlc-appstream]
name=Rocky Linux from CIQ - AppStream
baseurl=https://depot.ciq.com/rlc/appstream/$releasever/$basearch/
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://depot.ciq.com/keys/RPM-GPG-KEY-CIQ
EOF

# Step 3: Configure authentication
echo "machine depot.ciq.com login YOUR_DEPOT_USERNAME password YOUR_TOKEN" > ~/.netrc
chmod 600 ~/.netrc

# Step 4: Disable community repositories and update
sudo dnf config-manager --disable rocky-baseos rocky-appstream rocky-extras
sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf makecache
sudo dnf distro-sync

Repository Configuration

After migration or fresh installation, configure your system to use RLC repositories:

# Enable RLC repositories
sudo dnf config-manager --enable rlc-baseos rlc-appstream

# Enable CIQ extras repository (optional)
sudo dnf config-manager --enable ciq-extras

# Update package metadata
sudo dnf makecache

Verification

Verify your RLC installation:

# Check RLC repository configuration
dnf repolist enabled

# Verify package sources
dnf info rocky-release

# Check for available updates
dnf check-update

Getting Updates

Keep your RLC system up to date:

# Get the latest security and bug fixes
sudo dnf update

# Update specific packages
sudo dnf update package-name

# Check for security updates only
sudo dnf update --security

Cloud Deployment

RLC is available in major cloud marketplaces:

  • AWS Marketplace: Search for "Rocky Linux from CIQ"
  • Azure Marketplace: Find RLC in the Linux distributions
  • Google Cloud Platform: Available in the GCP Marketplace
  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure: Listed in the OCI Marketplace

For cloud-specific deployment guides, see our Cloud Deployment documentation.

Support Options

Community Support

  • Documentation and guides
  • Community forums and discussions
  • Knowledge base articles

Professional Support

  • Enterprise-grade technical support
  • Dedicated support engineers
  • Custom SLA options
  • Professional services for migration and optimization

Next Steps

After setting up RLC, consider:

Licensing and Pricing

  • Flat-rate pricing: $25,000 annually for unlimited deployments
  • No hidden costs: No additional fees for multiple instances
  • Flexible licensing: Use across on-premise and cloud environments
  • Egress limit: 10TB annually with options for additional capacity

For current pricing and licensing information, contact CIQ sales.

Support and Resources

For technical support and additional information:

  • FAQ - Frequently asked questions
  • Release Notes - Latest updates and changes
  • Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions
  • Contact CIQ Support for professional assistance