Fermi Linux is the generic name for Linux distributions that are created and used at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). These releases have gone through different names: Fermi Linux, Fermi Linux LTS, LTS, Scientific Linux Fermi, SLF. At the current time, the only officially supported Fermi Linux is Scientific Linux Fermi, which is based on Scientific Linux.
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Distributions released were:
| month-date year | Number (Official) | Name |
|---|---|---|
| August 31, 1998 | Fermi Linux 5.0.2 | n/a |
| August 16, 1999 | Fermi Linux 5.2.1 | Charm |
| April 7, 2000 | Fermi Linux 6.1.1 | Strange |
| August 29, 2001 | Fermi Linux 7.1.1 | Top |
| September 13, 2002 | Fermi Linux 7.3.1 | Bottom |
| April 7, 2003 | Fermi Linux 9.0.1 | Up |
| August 27, 2003 | Fermi Linux 7.1.2 | Top |
| January 26, 2004 | Fermi Linux LTS 3.0.1 | Feynman |
| February 27, 2004 | Fermi Linux 7.3.2 | Bottom |
| October 1, 2004 | Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.3 | Feynman |
| February 22, 2005 | Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.4 | Feynman |
| August 29, 2005 | Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.5 | Feynman |
| September 20, 2005 | Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 4.1 | Feynman |
| January 25, 2006 | Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 4.2 | Beryllium |
| October 25, 2006 | Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 4.4 | Feynman |
| November 10, 2006 | Scientific Linux Fermi LTS 3.0.8 | Beryllium |
| September 10, 2007 | Scientific Linux Fermi 5.0 | Lederman |
| December 14, 2011 | Scientific Linux Fermi 6.1 | Ramsey |
Updates for supported releases are currently available without any restrictions.
Scientific Linux Fermi LTS (LongTermSupport) 3.0.x
Scientific Linux Fermi 4.x
Fermi Linux LTS (Long Term Support) is in essence Red Hat Enterprise Linux, recompiled. What the workers in Fermilab have done is taken the source code from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (in srpm form) and recompiled them. The resulting binaries (now in rpm form) are then theirs to do with as they desire as long as they follow the License from that original source code, which they are doing. They are choosing to bundle all these binaries into a linux distribution that is as close to Red Hat Enterprise Linux as they can get it. The goal is to ensure that if a program runs and is certified on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, then it will run on the corresponding Fermi Linux LTS release.
They have built Fermi Linux LTS for Fermilab's use, and that is their ultimate goal. But they have no problems with others benefiting from their work. They have spearheaded Scientific Linux for those that want the stability of Fermi Linux LTS, but without all the Fermi modifications.
They do not have anything setup to support those not affiliated with Fermilab. If you are not a Fermilab affiliate, you might want to check out Scientific Linux.