Fedora Linux#CoreOS

Fedora has a reputation for focusing on innovation, integrating new technologies early on and working closely with upstream Linux communities.{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Staying_close_to_upstream_projects | title=Staying close to upstream projects | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=24 May 2015 | archive-date=5 August 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805082914/http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Staying_close_to_upstream_projects | url-status=live }} Making changes upstream instead of specifically for Fedora Linux ensures that the changes are available to all Linux distributions.

Fedora Linux has a relatively short life cycle: Each version is usually supported for at least 13 months, where version {{var|X}} is supported only until 1 month after version {{var|X}}+2 is released and with approximately 6 months between most versions.{{cite web | url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Fedora_Release_Life_Cycle | title=Fedora Release Life Cycle | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=25 March 2014 | archive-date=14 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714051350/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Fedora_Release_Life_Cycle | url-status=live }} Fedora users can upgrade from version to version without reinstalling.{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FedUp | title=FedUp | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=25 March 2014 | archive-date=25 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325165842/http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FedUp | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/23/html/Release_Notes/sect-Release_Notes-Changes_for_Sysadmin.html | title=Fedora 23 Release Notes: 3.2.4. System Upgrades with DNF | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=1 October 2015 | archive-date=2 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002160157/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/23/html/Release_Notes/sect-Release_Notes-Changes_for_Sysadmin.html | url-status=live }}

The default desktop environment is GNOME, and the default user interface is the GNOME Shell. Other desktop environments are available, including KDE Plasma, COSMIC, Xfce, LXQt, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon, and Budgie as well as window managers including i3, and Sway.{{cite web | url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/01/installing-the-mate-and-cinnamon-desktops-on-fedora-18/ | title=How to install the MATE and Cinnamon desktops on Fedora 18 | last=Brodkin | first=Jon | publisher=Ars Technica | date=15 January 2013 | access-date=15 January 2013 | archive-date=17 January 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117223625/http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/01/installing-the-mate-and-cinnamon-desktops-on-fedora-18/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Mutai |first1=Josphat |title=Install Deepin Desktop Environment on Fedora 30 |url=https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-install-deepin-desktop-environment-on-fedora/ |website=Computing for Geeks |access-date=25 June 2019 |date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=25 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625021431/https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-install-deepin-desktop-environment-on-fedora/ |url-status=live }}

A live media drive can be created using Fedora Media Writer or the dd command,{{cite web | url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/Installation_Guide/sect-preparing-boot-media.html | title=Preparing Boot Media | publisher=Red Hat | access-date=30 July 2017 | archive-date=30 July 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730110255/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/Installation_Guide/sect-preparing-boot-media.html | url-status=live }} allowing users to try Fedora Linux without writing any changes to their hard drives.

Most Fedora Linux editions use the RPM package management system and DNF as a tool to manage installed software.{{cite web|url=https://lwn.net/Articles/580223/|title=DNF and Yum in Fedora|last=Edge|first=Jake|publisher=LWN.net|date=15 January 2014|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930225233/https://lwn.net/Articles/580223/|url-status=live}} DNF uses libsolv, an external dependency resolver. Flatpak is also included by default.

The CoreOS and Silverblue editions are designed for operating system-level virtualization. These editions use rpm-ostree (a hybrid transactional image/package system),{{Cite web|url=https://github.com/coreos/rpm-ostree|title=⚛📦 Hybrid image/package system with atomic upgrades and package layering: coreos/rpm-ostree|date=5 December 2019|via=GitHub|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212212008/https://github.com/coreos/rpm-ostree|url-status=live}} and traditional RPM (or other package management systems) can be used in containers.

Fedora Linux uses Security-Enhanced Linux by default, which implements a variety of security policies, including mandatory access controls, which Fedora adopted early on.{{cite web | url=http://w3.linux-magazine.com/issue/69/Access_Control_with_SELinux.pdf | title=Security Hardened - Mandatory Access Control with SELinux | last=Spenneberg | first=Ralf | publisher=Linux New Media USA | series=Linux Magazine, Issue 69 | date=August 2006 | access-date=7 October 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013005525/http://w3.linux-magazine.com/issue/69/Access_Control_with_SELinux.pdf | archive-date=13 October 2007 | df=dmy-all }} Fedora provides a hardening wrapper, and does hardening for all of its packages by using compiler features such as position-independent executable (PIE).{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Harden_All_Packages | title=Harden All Packages | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=28 March 2017 | archive-date=28 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628173257/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/Harden_All_Packages | url-status=live }} Fedora also ships with firewalld as a default firewall.

Fedora Workstation comes preinstalled with a wide range of software such as LibreOffice and Firefox. Additional software is available from the software repositories and can be installed using the DNF package manager or GNOME Software.

Additionally, extra repositories can be added to the system, so that software not available in Fedora Linux can be installed easily.{{cite web | url= https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/System_Administrators_Guide/sec-Managing_DNF_Repositories.html | title= Adding, Enabling, and Disabling a DNF Repository | publisher= Fedora Project | access-date= 29 July 2017 | archive-date= 29 July 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170729095056/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/26/html/System_Administrators_Guide/sec-Managing_DNF_Repositories.html | url-status= live }} Software that is not available via official Fedora repositories, either because it does not meet Fedora's definition of free software or because its distribution may violate US law, can be installed using third-party repositories. Popular third-party repositories include RPM Fusion free and non-free repositories. Fedora also provides users with an easy-to-use build system for creating their own repositories called Copr.{{cite web | url=https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/ | title=Fedora Copr | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=26 June 2017 | archive-date=22 June 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622085411/https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/ | url-status=live }}

Since the release of Fedora 25, the operating system defaults to the Wayland display server protocol, which replaced the X Window System.{{Cite web| last = Staff| first = Ars| title = Fedora 25: With Wayland, Linux has never been easier (or more handsome)| work = Ars Technica| access-date = 22 December 2017| date = 16 December 2016| url = https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/12/fedora-25-review-the-best-linux-distro-of-2016-arrived-at-the-last-moment/| archive-date = 3 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171203125152/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/12/fedora-25-review-the-best-linux-distro-of-2016-arrived-at-the-last-moment/| url-status = live}} As of Fedora 41, both the GNOME and KDE editions do not ship with X.Org Server session support by default.{{Cite news |title=Fedora 41's GNOME to go Wayland-only |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/03/13/fedora_41_drops_x_gnome/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241007052458/https://www.theregister.com/2024/03/13/fedora_41_drops_x_gnome/ |archive-date=2024-10-07 |access-date=2025-01-30 |language=en}}

File:Fedora 41 installation process.png

{{main|Anaconda (installer)}}

Fedora Linux uses Anaconda as the system installer.

Beginning with Fedora 21, was available in three editions, expanded to six editions as of version 42.{{Cite web|title=Getting Started|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/|access-date=18 February 2023|website=Fedora Docs|quote="Fedora is provided in several distribution items tailored for special Purposes. We call it Editions and spins."|archive-date=19 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135128/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/|url-status=live}}

File:Fedora Workstation 41 — default applications (1).png

The Fedora Workstation editions target users who want a reliable, user-friendly, and powerful operating system for their laptop or desktop computer while still being on the cutting edge of new technologies.{{Cite web |title=The leading Linux desktop |url=https://fedoraproject.org/workstation/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=fedoraproject.org}} They come with GNOME by default but other desktops can be installed, including KDE Plasma, which was promoted to a regular edition on the same level as Fedora Workstation with GNOME starting with Fedora 42.{{cite web |title=Issue #504: Request to upgrade Fedora KDE Desktop Spin to Edition status under the Personal Systems WG - tickets - Pagure.io |url=https://pagure.io/Fedora-Council/tickets/issue/504 |access-date=2024-12-30}}{{Cite web |title=Fedora 42's big upgrade delivers new spins for COSMIC and KDE Plasma - and much more |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/fedora-42s-big-upgrade-delivers-new-spins-for-cosmic-and-kde-plasma-and-much-more/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=ZDNET |language=en}}

File:Fedora 42 KDE Plasma Desktop English.png

The Fedora project officially distributes different variations called "Fedora Spins"{{Cite web|url=https://spins.fedoraproject.org/index.html.en|title=Fedora Spins|website=spins.fedoraproject.org|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=18 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318234404/https://spins.fedoraproject.org/index.html.en|url-status=live}} which are Fedora Linux with different desktop environments. The current official spins, as of Fedora 42, are Xfce,{{Cite web |title=Fedora XFCE |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/xfce/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=www.fedoraproject.org}} LXQt,{{Cite web |title=Fedora LXQt Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/lxqt/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=fedoraproject.org |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135723/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/lxqt/ |url-status=live }} MATE (with Compiz),{{Cite web |title=Fedora MATE+Compiz Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/mate/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=fedoraproject.org |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135729/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/mate/ |url-status=live }} Cinnamon,{{Cite web |title=Fedora Cinnamon Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/cinnamon/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=fedoraproject.org |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135738/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/cinnamon/ |url-status=live }} LXDE,{{Cite web |title=Fedora LXDE Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/lxde/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=fedoraproject.org}} SoaS,{{Cite web |title=Fedora Sugar on a Stick Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/soas/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=fedoraproject.org}} i3,{{Cite web |title=Fedora i3 Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/i3/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=fedoraproject.org}} Phosh (for use on PinePhone),{{Cite web |title=Fedora Phosh |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/phosh/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412204332/https://fedoraproject.org/spins/phosh/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 April 2023 |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=www.fedoraproject.org }} Budgie,{{Cite web |title=Fedora Budgie Spin |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/budgie/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=www.fedoraproject.org}} Sway,{{Cite web |title=Fedora Sway Spin |url=https://www.fedoraproject.org/spins/sway/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=www.fedoraproject.org}} and COSMIC.{{Cite web |title=Fedora COSMIC Spin |url=https://fedoraproject.org/spins/cosmic/ |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=fedoraproject.org}}

In addition to Spins, which are official variants of the Fedora system, the project allows unofficial variants to use the term "Fedora Remix" without asking for further permission, although a different logo (provided) is required.{{Cite web|url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Remix|title=Remix - Fedora Project Wiki|website=fedoraproject.org|access-date=28 September 2019|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904111541/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Remix|url-status=live}}

File:Fedora SilverBlue 41 desktop.png

Fedora offers immutable editions known as "Atomic Desktops".{{Cite web |title=Getting Started # Fedora Variants and how to install |url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/#_fedora_variants_and_how_to_install |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Fedora Docs |language=en |quote="An immutable desktop variant of Fedora Workstation Edition" |archive-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135128/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/getting-started/#_fedora_variants_and_how_to_install |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Fedora Silverblue User Guide |url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/ |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=Fedora Docs |language=en |quote="Fedora Silverblue is a variant of Fedora Workstation." |archive-date=11 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011040633/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/ |url-status=live}} Separate editions are offered per desktop environment, currently there are editions for Budgie, COSMIC, GNOME (Silverblue), KDE Plasma (Kinoite) and Sway.{{Cite web |title=Atomic Desktops for Fedora |url=https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=fedoraproject.org |language=en |archive-date=2025-01-13 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250113000343/https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/ |url-status=live}} Every atomic desktop installation is identical to every other installation of the same version, and it never changes as it is used. The immutable design is intended to make the operating system more stable, less prone to bugs, easier to test and develop, and create a platform for containerized applications as well as container-based software development. Applications and containers are kept separate from the host system. OS updates are fast and there is no installation stage. It is possible to roll back to the previous version of the operating system, if something goes wrong.{{Cite web|title=Fedora Silverblue User Guide :: Fedora Docs|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/|access-date=11 October 2021|website=docs.fedoraproject.org|archive-date=11 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011040633/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/|url-status=live}}

The long-term goal for this effort is to transform Fedora Workstation into an image-based system where applications are separate from the OS, and updates are atomic. Fedora developers, Red Hat engineers, along with independent contributors have been developing and/or contributing to software used in the atomic desktops. Such as: OSTree, Wayland, Flatpak, and rpm-ostree support in GNOME Software, etc. Project Atomic added new features like package layering to rpm-ostree and added rpm-ostree support to Anaconda.{{Cite book|title=Team Silverblue - The Origins|publisher=docs.fedoraproject.org|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/_attachments/team-silverblue-origins.pdf|language=English|access-date=7 January 2022|archive-date=19 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135018/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora-silverblue/_attachments/team-silverblue-origins.pdf|url-status=live}}

Its target usage is for servers. It includes the latest data center technologies. This edition does not come with a desktop environment, but one can be installed. From Fedora 28, Server Edition will deliver Fedora Modularity,{{Cite web|url=https://docs.pagure.org/modularity/|title=Fedora Modularity|website=Fedora Modularity|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=5 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180505055612/https://docs.pagure.org/modularity/|url-status=live}} adding support for alternative update streams for popular software such as Node.js and Go.

Images of Fedora Linux tailored to running on Internet of Things devices. It supports x86_64, aarch64 and armhfp processors.{{Cite web |title=Get Fedora |url=http://getfedora.org/ |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=getfedora.org |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711030627/https://getfedora.org/ |url-status=live }}

The successor of Fedora Atomic Host (Project Atomic) and Container Linux after Fedora 29,{{Cite web|last=Mabe|first=Dusty|date=21 November 2019|title=Fedora Atomic Host Nearing End Of Life|url=https://www.projectatomic.io/blog/2019/11/fedora-atomic-host-nearing-eol/|access-date=8 January 2022|website=www.projectatomic.io|language=en|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629083338/http://www.projectatomic.io/blog/2019/11/fedora-atomic-host-nearing-eol/|url-status=live}} it provides a minimal image of Fedora Linux which includes just the bare essentials. This is not to be confused with Fedora Core. It is meant for deployment in cloud computing. It provides Fedora CoreOS images which are optimized minimal images for deploying containers.{{Cite web |url=https://getfedora.org/en/coreos?stream=stable |title=Get Fedora |access-date=30 August 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729163949/https://getfedora.org/en/coreos/?stream=stable |url-status=live }} CoreOS replaced the established Container Linux when it was merged with Project Atomic{{Cite web|last=Mabe|first=Dusty|date=20 June 2018|title=Announcing the Fedora CoreOS community!|url=https://www.projectatomic.io/blog/2018/06/welcome-to-fedora-coreos/|access-date=8 January 2022|website=www.projectatomic.io|language=en|archive-date=19 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719135138/https://projectatomic.io/blog/2018/06/welcome-to-fedora-coreos/|url-status=live}} after its acquisition by Red Hat in January 2018.{{Cite web|last=Rosoff|first=Matt|date=30 January 2018|title=Red Hat pays $250 million for CoreOS, a start-up that sells Google-developed technology|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/30/red-hat-buys-coreos-for-250-mililon.html|access-date=8 January 2022|website=CNBC|language=en}}

Similar to Debian blends, the Fedora Project also distributes custom variations of Fedora Linux called Fedora Labs.{{cite web|url=https://labs.fedoraproject.org|title=Fedora Labs|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=3 February 2014|archive-date=27 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527014955/https://labs.fedoraproject.org/|url-status=live}} These are built with specific sets of software packages, targeting specific interests such as gaming, security, design,{{Cite web|url=https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/design-suite|title=Fedora Design Suite|website=Fedora Design Suite|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-date=4 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504155406/https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/design-suite/|url-status=dead}} robotics,{{cite web|url=https://spins.fedoraproject.org/robotics/|title=Fedora Robotics Edition|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=18 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328180415/http://spins.fedoraproject.org/robotics/|archive-date=28 March 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Robotics|title=Fedora Robotics Wiki|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=18 March 2015|archive-date=28 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328105641/http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Robotics|url-status=live}} and scientific computing{{cite web|url=https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/scientific/|title=Fedora Scientific|publisher=Fedora Project|access-date=3 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504092046/https://labs.fedoraproject.org/en_GB/scientific/|archive-date=4 May 2018|url-status=dead}} (that includes SciPy, Octave, Kile, Xfig and Inkscape).

The Fedora AOS (Appliance Operating System) was a specialized spin of Fedora Linux with reduced memory footprint for use in software appliances. Appliances are pre-installed, pre-configured, system images. This spin was intended to make it easier for anyone (developers, independent software vendors (ISV), original equipment manufacturers (OEM), etc.) to create and deploy virtual appliances.

x86-64 and ARM AArch64 are the primary architectures supported by Fedora. As of release 38, Fedora also supports IBM Power64le, IBM Z ("s390x"), MIPS-64el, MIPS-el and RISC-V as secondary architectures.

Fedora 28 was the last release that supported ppc64 and users are advised to move to the little endian ppc64le variant.{{cite web |title=DiscontinuePPC64 - Fedora Project Wiki |url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/DiscontinuePPC64 |access-date=30 October 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030170357/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/DiscontinuePPC64 |url-status=live }} Fedora 36 was the last release with support for ARM-hfp.{{Cite web|url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/RetireARMv7|title=Changes/RetireARMv7 - Fedora Project Wiki|date=1 December 2021|website=fedoraproject.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108163422/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/RetireARMv7|archive-date=8 November 2023|url-status=live}}

The Fedora Project also distributes several other versions{{Cite web|url=https://alt.fedoraproject.org/|title=Fedora Alternative Downloads|website=Fedora Alternative Downloads|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129130916/https://alt.fedoraproject.org/|url-status=live}} with fewer use cases than mentioned above, like network installers and minimal installation images. They are intended for special cases or expert users that want to have custom installations or configuring Fedora from scratch.

In addition, all acceptable licenses for Fedora Linux (including copyright, trademark, and patent licenses) must be applicable not only to Red Hat or Fedora, but also to all recipients downstream. This means that any "Fedora-only" licenses, or licenses with specific terms that Red Hat or Fedora meets but that other recipients would not are not acceptable (and almost certainly non-free, as a result).

The name of Fedora derives from the original "Fedora Linux", a volunteer project that provided extra software for the Red Hat Linux distribution, and from the characteristic fedora hat used in Red Hat's "Shadowman" logo. Warren Togami began Fedora Linux in 2002 as an undergraduate project at the University of Hawaii,{{cite web|url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Wtogami?rd=WarrenTogami|title=Warren Togami|publisher=fedoraproject.org|access-date=20 October 2021|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019012539/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/User:Wtogami?rd=WarrenTogami|url-status=live}} intended to provide a single repository for well-tested third-party software packages so that non-Red Hat software would be easier to find, develop, and use. The key difference between Fedora Linux and Red Hat Linux was that Fedora's repository development would be collaborative with the global volunteer community.{{cite web|url=http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/31767|title=Warren Togami on the new Fedora Project|last=Barr|first=Joe|date=1 October 2003|publisher=Linux.com|access-date=9 February 2010|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020105212/https://www.linux.com/news/feature-8-cores-budget-building-better-workstation/|url-status=live}} The original Fedora Linux was eventually absorbed into the Fedora Project, carrying with it this collaborative approach.{{cite web|url=http://togami.com/~warren/archive/2006/lax_seminar_fedora_feb_2006.odp|title=Why Fedora?|last=Togami|first=Warren|date=February 2006|format=ODP|access-date=30 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831065506/http://togami.com/~warren/archive/2006/lax_seminar_fedora_feb_2006.odp|archive-date=31 August 2011|url-status=dead}} The Fedora Project is sponsored primarily by Red Hat with additional support and sponsors from other companies and organizations.{{cite web |url=https://getfedora.org/sponsors |title=Fedora Sponsors |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=24 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191124143452/https://fedoraproject.org/sponsors/ |url-status=live }}

Fedora Linux, then known as "Fedora Core", was a fork of Red Hat Linux launched in 2003, when Red Hat Linux was discontinued so the team could focus on their paid version for servers: Red Hat Enterprise Linux.{{cite mailing list | url=http://www.redhat.com/archives/rhl-list/2003-September/msg00064.html | title=Fedora Project: Announcing New Direction | date=22 September 2003 | access-date=18 October 2007 | mailing-list=Fedora development | last=Johnson | first=Michael K. | archive-date=20 November 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120053411/http://www.redhat.com/archives/rhl-list/2003-September/msg00064.html | url-status=live }} Red Hat Enterprise Linux was to be Red Hat's only officially supported Linux distribution, while Fedora was to be a community distribution. Red Hat Enterprise Linux branches its releases from versions of Fedora.{{cite web | url=http://www.redhat.com/magazine/022aug06/features/fedora_rhel_4/ | title=The Fedora Project and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, part 4 | last=Burke | first=Tim | publisher=Red Hat | series=Red Hat Magazine, Issue #22 | date=August 2006 | access-date=18 October 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012162113/http://www.redhat.com/magazine/022aug06/features/fedora_rhel_4/ | archive-date=12 October 2007 | df=dmy-all }}

Before Fedora 7, Fedora Linux was called Fedora Core after the name of one of the two main software repositories - Core and Extras. Fedora Core contained all the base packages that were required by the operating system, as well as other packages that were distributed along with the installation CD/DVDs, and was maintained only by Red Hat developers. Fedora Extras, the secondary repository that had been included since Fedora Core 3, was community-maintained and not distributed along with the installation CD/DVDs. Upon the release of Fedora 7, the distinction between Fedora Core and Fedora Extras was eliminated.{{cite web | url=http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/7 | title=Releases/7 | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=27 February 2014 | archive-date=27 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227074208/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/7 | url-status=live }}

Since the release of Fedora 21, as an effort to bring modularization to the Fedora distribution and make development more agile,{{cite web |url=https://fedoramagazine.org/fedora-present-and-future-a-fedora-next-2014-update-part-i-why/ |title=Fedora Present and Future: a Fedora.next 2014 Update (Part I, "Why?") |publisher=Fedora Magazine |date=19 March 2014 |last=Miller |first=Matthew |access-date=23 July 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809011809/https://fedoramagazine.org/fedora-present-and-future-a-fedora-next-2014-update-part-i-why/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://old.lwn.net/Articles/680278/ |title=Modularizing Fedora |date=16 March 2016 |last=Corbet |first=Jonathan |publisher=LWN.net |access-date=23 July 2017 |archive-date=9 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809000025/https://old.lwn.net/Articles/680278/ |url-status=live }} three different versions are available: Workstation, focused on the personal computer, Server and Atomic for servers, Atomic being the version meant for cloud computing.

Fedora is a trademark of Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat's application for trademark status for the name "Fedora" was disputed by Cornell University and the University of Virginia Library, creators of the unrelated Fedora Commons digital repository management software.{{cite web | url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-7344_3-5110750.html | title=Red Hat, researchers in name tiff | last1=Becker | first1=David | date=21 November 2003 | website=CNET News | publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. | access-date=3 February 2014 | archive-date=21 February 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221213345/http://news.cnet.com/2100-7344_3-5110750.html | url-status=live }} The issue was resolved and the parties settled on a co-existence agreement that stated that the Cornell-UVA project could use the name when clearly associated with open source software for digital object repository systems and that Red Hat could use the name when it was clearly associated with open source computer operating systems.{{cite web | url=http://www.fedora-commons.org/about/history | title=Fedora Repository Project History | access-date=3 February 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222164932/http://www.fedora-commons.org/about/history | archive-date=22 February 2014 | df=dmy-all }}

In April 2020, project leader Matthew Miller announced that Fedora Workstation would be shipping on select new ThinkPad laptops, thanks to a new partnership with Lenovo.{{cite web | last=Miller | first=Matthew | title=Coming soon: Fedora on Lenovo laptops! | website=Fedora Magazine | date=24 April 2020 | url=https://fedoramagazine.org/coming-soon-fedora-on-lenovo-laptops/ | access-date=7 May 2020 | archive-date=7 May 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507134802/https://fedoramagazine.org/coming-soon-fedora-on-lenovo-laptops/ | url-status=live }}

Framework officially supports Fedora Workstation on their laptops.{{Cite web |title=Fix Consumer Electronics |url=https://frame.work/linux |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Framework |language=en}}

{{See also|Fedora Project}}

File:Fedora Foundations.png

Development of the operating system and supporting programs is headed by the Fedora Project, which is composed of a community of developers and volunteers, and also Red Hat employees.{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/|title=Overview - Fedora Project|website=Fedora Project wiki|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804074726/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/|url-status=live}} The council is the top-level community leadership and governance body. Other bodies include the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee, responsible for the technical decisions behind the development of Fedora, and Fedora Mindshare Committee which coordinates outreach and non-technical activities, including representation of Fedora Worldwide e.g.: Ambassadors Program, CommOps team and Marketing, Design and Websites Team.{{Cite web|url=https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/leadership/index.html|title=Leadership - Fedora Project|website=Fedora Project|access-date=20 April 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731042543/https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/project/leadership/index.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Fedora Linux release history}}

File:Fedora Core 1.png with GNOME 2.4 (November 2003)]]

File:Fedora 15 Lovelock Gnome3.png and GNOME Shell (May 2011)]]

File:Fedora 21 desktop screenshot.png and HiDPI support (December 2014)]]

Fedora has a relatively short life cycle: version {{var|X}} is supported only until 1 month after version {{var|X}}+2 is released and with approximately 6 months between most versions, meaning a version of Fedora is usually supported for at least 13 months, possibly longer. Fedora users can upgrade from version to version without reinstalling.

The current release is Fedora 42, which was released on 15 April 2025.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Mathew |date=15 April 2025 |title=The answer is 42! Fedora Linux 42, that is. |url=https://fedoramagazine.org/announcing-fedora-linux-42/ |access-date=19 April 2025 |website=Fedora Magazine |language=en-US |url-status=live }}

{{Releases Fedora Linux}}

{{Timeline Fedora Linux}}

Rawhide is the development tree for Fedora.{{cite web | url=https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/Rawhide?rd=Rawhide#Using_Rawhide | title=Releases/Rawhide | publisher=Fedora Project | access-date=12 December 2015 | archive-date=24 December 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224090337/https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/Rawhide?rd=Rawhide#Using_Rawhide | url-status=live }} This is a copy of a complete Fedora distribution where new software is added and tested, before inclusion in a later stable release. As such, Rawhide is often more feature rich than the current stable release. In many cases, the software is made of CVS, Subversion or Git source code snapshots which are often actively developed by programmers. Although Rawhide is targeted at advanced users, testers, and package maintainers, it is capable of being a primary operating system. Users interested in the Rawhide branch often update on a daily basis and help troubleshoot problems. Rawhide users do not have to upgrade between different versions as it follows a rolling release update model.

{{Portal|Linux|FOSS}}

• ABRT
• Fedora Media Writer
• List of Linux distributions § RPM-based

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Fedora Linux}}

• [https://fedoramagazine.org Fedora Magazine]
• {{DistroWatch|fedoralinux|NAME=Fedora Linux}}

{{Fedora Project}}

{{Fedora Linux derivatives}}

{{Red Hat}}

{{IBM operating systems}}

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