Overview
What is Rocky Linux from CIQ?¶
Rocky Linux from CIQ (RLC) is the enterprise distribution of Rocky Linux, built and maintained by CIQ. RLC transforms Rocky Linux from a community rebuild into a vendor-backed enterprise Linux platform with CIQ-built packages, integrated hardware support, validated supply chain, and commercial guarantees.
RLC is binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, validated through the ELValidated program from OpenELA. Applications, configurations, and workflows built for RHEL work on RLC without modification.
RLC is available in two tiers: RLC Pro and RLC+.
Product Tiers¶
RLC Pro¶
RLC Pro is the full enterprise tier of Rocky Linux from CIQ. It includes everything in RLC+ plus CIQ Pro repositories with enterprise enhancements, Long Term Support (LTS) access, FIPS 140-3 compliance, NVIDIA GPU driver support, and priority bug fixes.
RLC Pro is designed for organizations that need vendor accountability, hardware enablement, compliance capabilities, and indemnification beyond what community Rocky Linux provides.
Key capabilities:
- CIQ-built kernel across all deployment methods (cloud, on-prem, bootc)
- Pro repositories with CIQ enterprise enhancements and bug fixes
- Long Term Support (LTS) access for version-pinned deployments
- FIPS 140-3 certified and compliant cryptographic modules
- NVIDIA GPU driver support through integrated repositories and pre-built images
- Version pinning to any supported minor release
- Indemnification for Rocky Linux components
- All RLC+ features included
RLC+¶
RLC+ provides Rocky Linux with commercial backing from CIQ. It includes the CIQ-built kernel, CIQ Core repositories, supply chain validation, and repository access through CIQ Depot.
RLC+ is designed for organizations that need a commercially supported Rocky Linux with vendor accountability and dedicated repository access, without the advanced enterprise features of Pro.
Key capabilities:
- CIQ-built kernel across all deployment methods (cloud, on-prem, bootc)
- CIQ Core repositories with validated packages
- Supply chain validation by CIQ
- NVIDIA GPU driver support through integrated repositories and pre-built images
- US-based repository mirrors with dedicated access
- Depot CLI for subscription management and package access
- CIQ Portal access for downloads and management
Feature Comparison¶
| Feature | Rocky Linux | RLC+ | RLC Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 binary compatibility with RHEL |  |
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| CIQ-built unified kernel |  |
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| CIQ Core repositories | |
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| CIQ Pro repositories (enterprise enhancements) | |
|
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| Supply chain validation by CIQ | |
|
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| Dedicated US-based repository access | |
|
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| NVIDIA GPU driver support | |
|
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| Long Term Support (LTS) versions | |
|
|
| FIPS 140-3 compliance | |
|
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| Version pinning (minor release) | |
|
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| Priority bug fixes | |
|
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| Indemnification for Rocky Linux components | |
|
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| Professional support with SLAs | |
|
Available |
| AMD GPU driver support | |
Coming soon | Coming soon |
Supported Versions¶
RLC Pro Supported Versions¶
| Version | Architectures | Status |
|---|---|---|
| RLC Pro 9 | x86_64, aarch64 | Available |
| RLC Pro 8 | x86_64, aarch64 | Available |
| RLC Pro 10 | x86_64, aarch64 | Coming soon |
RLC+ Supported Versions¶
| Version | Architectures | Status |
|---|---|---|
| RLC+ 9 | x86_64, aarch64 | Coming soon |
| RLC+ 8 | x86_64, aarch64 | Coming soon |
| RLC+ 10 | x86_64, aarch64 | Coming soon |
A single RLC Pro or RLC+ subscription provides access to all supported major versions.
Support Lifecycle¶
RLC follows the upstream Rocky Linux release cycle, with CIQ providing extended support through LTS versions for RLC Pro customers. The following dates are subject to change.
| Version | Rocky Release | Rocky EoL | RLC LTS | FIPS | RLC LTS EoL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.6 | Jun 2025 | Dec 2025 | Yes | Started | Nov 2029 |
| 9.4 | May 2024 | Nov 2024 | Yes | — | May 2026 |
| 9.2 | May 2023 | Nov 2023 | Yes | Yes | Dec 2027 |
| 8.10 | May 2024 | May 2029 | Yes | Yes | May 2032 |
| 8.8 | May 2023 | Nov 2023 | Yes | — | Jul 2025 |
| 8.6 | May 2022 | Nov 2022 | Yes | Yes | Dec 2026 |
Note
Not all minor versions receive LTS. LTS versions are selected based on customer demand and certification requirements. Dates are subject to change — contact CIQ Sales for the latest lifecycle information.
Getting Started¶
To get started with RLC, sign up at portal.ciq.com:
- RLC+ is available with a free license
- RLC Pro is available with a free developer license or enterprise trial
- Production use of RLC Pro requires contacting CIQ Sales
See the Getting Started guide for deployment instructions.