- Oracle has released its latest enterprise-focused Linux distribution, coming a few weeks after the release of RHEL 9.
- The new release comes with the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 7; Red Hat Compatible Kernel is also available.
- Oracle Linux 9 delivers enhancements in OpenSSL 3.0, file system, VirtualBox shared folder as well as the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel itself.
Oracle announced the release of Oracle Linux 9 for x86_64 and Arm platforms. The latest release includes Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 7 (UEK R7) along with the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK). The latest version of Oracle Linux, which is designed for application development and deployment, provides performance and security enhancements.
What’s new?
Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 7 comes with LTS Linux Kernel 5.15 and supports the latest hardware. Along with critical fixes and security updates, a new security feature to help avoid side-channel attacks. CTF (C-type format) debug info data enables developers to debug their systems without installing additional packages and changed the default page size from 64 KB to 4 KB for the 64-bit Arm (aarch64) platform.
OpenSSL 3.0 in Oracle Linux 9 also comes with various enhancements for developers and users. The new FIPS module prevents non-FIPS algorithm use while the FIPS flag can be set in the kernel without the need to switch OpenSSL to FIPS mode. Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 7 includes a new asynchronous SSD trimming, parallel filesystem sync capabilities, and fewer checksum tree lookups.
UEK R7 introduces native support for VirtualBox shared folder. The new feature allows sharing folders between Oracle Linux guests and the host operating system. Oracle Linux 9 installation software is now available as:
- ISO installation images are available from the Oracle Linux yum server and Oracle Software Delivery Cloud
- Individual RPM packages via the Unbreakable Linux Network (ULN) and the Oracle Linux yum server
- Container images via Oracle Container Registry, GitHub Container Registry, and Docker Hub
- Additional software downloads for Oracle Linux
FAQ
What is the latest version of Oracle Linux?
The latest version in Oracle Linux 8 series is 8.7, and in the 9 series is 9.1.
How do you update Oracle Linux?
To update Oracle Linux, you can use the "yum" package manager. Before you begin, it is important to backup your important data, and also make sure your system is fully up-to-date by running "yum update". Then, open a terminal and run the command "sudo yum update" to begin the update process. This command will update the system and download and install the new packages. You can also use "yum update-minimal" command to update the system with only security updates and important bug fixes.
How do you upgrade Oracle Linux?
To upgrade Oracle Linux, you can use the "yum" package manager. Run the command "sudo yum upgrade" after making sure your system is fully updated with "sudo yum update". It's also recommended to review the release notes of the new version you are upgrading to, to know about any new features, and to ensure that any third-party software you are using is compatible with the new version. Remember to backup important data before upgrading.
Is Oracle Linux free?
Oracle Linux is available for free as an open-source operating system, but there are additional features and support options that may require a paid subscription. The basic version is free to download, install and use for both personal and commercial purposes.
Is Oracle Linux good for servers?
Oracle Linux is considered a good option for servers, as it is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, which is known for its reliability and stability. Oracle Linux also offers many enterprise-grade features such as support for large-scale deployments, advanced security, and performance-enhancing technologies.
Is Oracle Linux the same as RHEL?
Oracle Linux is similar to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in many ways, as it is based on the same codebase and has many of the same features. While Oracle Linux and RHEL are similar, they are different distributions and are maintained by different companies.
Is Oracle Linux the same as CentOS?
Oracle Linux and CentOS are both based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), but there are some key differences between the two. Oracle Linux is developed and maintained by Oracle Corporation, while CentOS is developed and maintained by a community of volunteers. Oracle Linux is also available as a commercial distribution, which means that it includes additional features such as support and certifications that are not available in the community edition of CentOS. Additionally, Oracle Linux provides its own set of software repositories and yum channels, and it uses a different package-naming convention.
Who uses Oracle Linux?
Oracle Linux is primarily used by businesses, organizations, and IT professionals, who need a stable, reliable, and enterprise-grade Linux distribution. Companies that have large-scale deployments and rely heavily on Oracle databases and other enterprise applications, often use Oracle Linux as it is optimized to run these types of software.
Does Oracle Linux have a GUI?
Yes, Oracle Linux does have a GUI (Graphical User Interface) available. The default desktop environment for Oracle Linux is GNOME, which is a popular and widely used open-source desktop environment. Oracle Linux also supports other GUI options such as KDE Plasma and Xfce, which can be installed as an alternative.
Does Oracle Linux have a package manager?
Yes, Oracle Linux has a package manager called yum, which stands for "Yellowdog Updater Modified." Yum is a command-line tool that allows users to easily install, update, and remove software packages on their systems.
Can Oracle Linux be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Oracle Linux 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 Oracle Linux 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 Oracle Linux on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to install a Linux Distro on VMware Workstation