CentOS Minimal Gen2 Image on Azure

CentOS Virtual Machine provides a lightweight, secure, continuously delivered RHEL-upstream image for Azure users. Packaged and maintained by ProComputers, it is optimized for cloud-init automation, fast boot, and development or pre-production workloads — the ideal choice for teams seeking early access to features before they appear in Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Azure Generation 2 Virtual Machines (Gen2 VMs) use a modern UEFI-based boot architecture instead of legacy BIOS. This next-generation VM format offers a simplified virtual hardware model, faster boot and installation times, and improved performance for workloads running on Microsoft Azure.

Key Features of CentOS Image on Azure

Rolling-release model: delivers updates slightly ahead of RHEL 10.
Cloud-init enabled: automated provisioning and configuration in Azure.
Fast boot times: tuned for Azure Managed Disks and optimized defaults.
Secure by default: SELinux enforced, SSH hardened, minimal package footprint.
Accelerated Networking support: low-latency, high-throughput Azure workloads.

Benefits of Using CentOS Virtual Machine

Future-ready development: preview upcoming RHEL 10 changes in Azure.
Upstream alignment: maintained by Red Hat with strong ties to RHEL.
Stability for dev/test: ideal for development and pre-production workloads.
Lightweight VM image: efficient for CI/CD, DevOps pipelines, and cloud-native apps.

Use Cases for CentOS in Microsoft Azure

Deploy scalable web servers with Apache, Nginx, PHP, or Python.
Run popular CMS platforms like WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla.
Host e-commerce sites such as Magento or PrestaShop.
Launch production-ready databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB.
Power LAMP/LEMP stacks for custom app deployments.
Serve static websites and dynamic applications with backend logic.
Build automated CI/CD pipelines using Ansible, Terraform, or Jenkins.
Deploy REST APIs and frameworks like Node.js or Django.

Conclusion

Deploy this CentOS Azure VM image today to unlock a powerful, RHEL-upstream platform built for developers, system integrators, and IT operations teams. With full optimization for Microsoft Azure, it enables fast provisioning, secure configurations, and reliable performance. Start building cloud-native applications, testing RHEL-compatible workloads, and automating infrastructure with enterprise-grade efficiency, flexibility, and transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this VM RHEL-compatible? Yes. CentOS sits just upstream of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, offering a rolling preview of the next minor release. While closely aligned, it is not bug-for-bug identical with RHEL.
Can I use it for production? CentOS is best suited for development, testing, and pre-production. For stable, long-term support in production, consider Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, Oracle Linux, or RHEL itself.
Who maintains this image? This CentOS VM image is packaged and maintained by ProComputers, ensuring quality, reliability, and ongoing updates for Azure users.

Why Choose ProComputers for CentOS Images?

With over a decade of Microsoft Azure expertise, ProComputers delivers secure, optimized, cloud-ready Linux VM images — including CentOS on Azure. Each virtual machine image is minimal, hardened, and engineered for fast performance and enterprise-grade flexibility.

Explore our Other Azure Marketplace VM Images

Red Hat and CentOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Red Hat or the CentOS Project. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CentOS Minimal Gen2ProComputers

CentOS Minimal Gen2

ProComputers

CentOS Minimal Gen2

ProComputers

CentOS Minimal Gen2
ProComputers