The AlmaLinux team introduced the beta version of its popular CentOS alternative, AlmaLinux OS 8.5, codenamed Arctic Sphynx. The beta version for the x86_64 and Arm architectures is now ready and waiting for users to test. The ISO files can be downloaded from the AlmaLinux official website.
Security features and improvements
The beta version comes with improvements to container management tools, various new module streams, and enhancements. The AlmaLinux OS 8.5 Beta also introduces new additions to System Roles, an enhanced Cockpit web console, additional security features for personal access tokens, and network time security for NTP. AlmaLinux OS 8.5 Beta comes with OpenJDK 17 support.
The AlmaLinux team also warned users not to used the beta release for production installations, since it is for testing purposes only. Users who encounter and issues can send report their experiences on the AlmaLinux Bug Tracker. Users can also join The AlmaLinux Community Chat, The AlmaLinux Forums, and The AlmaLinux Community on Reddit to talk about anything, provide feedback, or ask questions.
Changelog
- Added new module streams:
- nginx 1.20
- Node.js 16
- Ruby 3.0
- Updated components:
- PHP 7.4.19
- Squid 4.15
- Mutt 2.0.7
- Compiler Updates:
- GCC Toolset 11
- LLVM Toolset 12.0.1
- Rust Toolset 1.54.0
- Go Toolset 1.16.7
- The closest mirror will be selected automatically in network install mode
- SCAP Security Guide has new profiles and improvements for the existing profiles:
- A new profile aligned with the Australian Cyber Security Centre Information Security Manual (ACSC ISM).
- The Center for Internet Security (CIS) profile restructured into four different profiles (Workstation Level 1, Workstation Level 2, Server Level 1, Server Level 2).
- The Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) security profile updated to version V1R3.
- A new STIG profile compatible with Server with GUI installations.
- A new French National Security Agency (ANSSI) High Level profile, which completes the availability of profiles for all ANSSI-BP-028 v1.2 hardening levels in the SCAP Security Guide.
Upgrade instructions
To upgrade the almalinux-release package to the 8.5-1.el8 version from the beta repositories run:
$ dnf install -y https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/almalinux-release-latest-8-beta.x86_64.rpm $ dnf clean all
The new package contains updated repository URLs so, you can run the command to update the rest of the packages:
$ dnf upgrade -y
FAQ
What are the latest AlmaLinux versions?
The latest version in AlmaLinux 8 series is 8.7 "Stone Smilodon" which was released on 10 November 2022, and in 9 series is 9.1 "Lime Lynx" released on 16 November 2022.
How long will AlmaLinux be supported?
AlmaLinux 8.X versions will be supported until 2029 and AlmaLinux 9.X versions will be supported until 2032.
Is AlmaLinux free?
Yes, AlmaLinux is a completely free and open-source Linux distribution.
Is AlmaLinux lightweight?
Yes, AlmaLinux is a lightweight and strong enterprise-focused Linux distribution.
Who owns AlmaLinux?
AlmaLinux is a community-driven Linux operating system. The AlmaLinux OS Foundation is a non-profit organization created for the benefit of the AlmaLinux OS community.
Is AlmaLinux same as RHEL?
Yes, AlmaLinux is an RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) fork and is 1:1 binary compatible with it.
Is AlmaLinux same as CentOS?
Yes, AlmaLinux is one of the best CentOS alternatives and is 1:1 binary compatible with its pre-Stream version.
Is AlmaLinux good for servers?
AlmaLinux is an enterprise-focused Linux distribution that delivers a variety of tools for use on servers.
Does AlmaLinux have a desktop environment?
Yes, AlmaLinux has a desktop environment. It comes with GNOME by default. You can install any other desktop environments according to your needs.
Can AlmaLinux be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, AlmaLinux can be installed on a virtual machine. A virtual machine (VM) allows you to run an operating system within another operating system. This means that you can install AlmaLinux on a virtual machine and run it on top of your current operating system, without the need to replace it or partition your hard drive. To install AlmaLinux on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to create VM and install a Linux distro on VMWare Workstation