- Rocky Linux Foundation has announced the release of Rocky Linux 8.7, the newest version in the Rocky Linux 8 series.
- The new version of Rocky Linux is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.7 as expected and comes with new module streams and updated toolsets.
- Rocky Linux 8.7 also rebases the NetworkManager component to version 1.40, which also brings a couple of improvements in networking processes.
After the release of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.7, many of the enterprise-focused Linux distros are introducing their release as well. Recently, we have covered the release of AlmaLinux 8.7 “Stone Smilodon”, which is a CentOS alternative and an RHEL 8.7 clone; now Rocky Linux Foundation introduces its latest version of enterprise-focused distribution as well.
NetworkManager improvements
Rocky Linux 8.7 rebases the NetworkManager to version 1.40, which now drops unused, internal systemd DHCPv4 clients, supports multipath TCP (MPTCP), supports configuring ipv6.mtu, and more. Additionally, the System Security Services Daemon component now supports direct integration with Windows Server 2022.
Rocky Linux 8.7 updates the module streams to the following versions:
- Ruby 3.1
- Mercurial 6.2
- Node.js 18
- Maven 3.8
The compiler toolsets also updated to the following versions:
- GCC Toolset 12
- LLVM Toolset 14.0.6
- Rust Toolset 1.62
- Go Toolset 1.18
As a measure for a vulnerability in Apache HTTP Server 2.4.53 and earlier versions, which can be tracked as CVE-2022-29404 and has a CVSS rating of 7.5, Rocky Linux 8.7 changes the default value of LimitRequestBody directive in httpd from unlimited to 1 GiB.
Rocky Linux 8 users can upgrade their instances to version 8.7 by utilizing the PackageKit interface or using the following command:
dnf updateDownload Rocky Linux 8.7
It is also possible to download the ISO file for fresh installations. You can follow the link below to download Rocky Linux 8.7 DVD ISO file:
Click here to download Rocky Linux 8.7 for x86_64 systems
Click here to download Rocky Linux 8.7 for aarch64 systems
For Minimal, Boot, Torrent versions, and checksums, you can visit the official Rocky Linux download page.
Cloud images
- Official Rocky Linux images are now available on the Oracle Cloud Platform.
- Artifacts behind all images built are now exported for development use.
- LVM variants of the generic, EC2, and Azure images are now available.
FAQ
What is the latest version of Rocky Linux?
The latest version in Rocky Linux 8 series is 8.7 which was released on 14 November 2022, and in 9 series is 9.1 released on 26 November 2022.
How long will Rocky Linux be supported?
Rocky Linux 8.X versions will be supported until 2029 and Rocky Linux 9.X versions will be supported until 2032.
Is Rocky Linux free?
Yes, Rocky Linux is free and open-source software. It is released under the GNU General Public License.
Is Rocky Linux lightweight?
Rocky Linux is designed to be lightweight and minimalistic, it is built to be a drop-in replacement for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and it uses the same packaging, management, and update tools. It aims to be a fast, stable, and secure platform for enterprise use, so it is not as lightweight as other Linux distributions such as Arch Linux or Gentoo, but it is still considered a lightweight distribution when compared to others that are designed for enterprise use.
Who owns Rocky Linux?
Rocky Linux is owned and developed by the Rocky Linux Project, which is a community-driven and open-source project. The project is led by Gregory Kurtzer, who is also the founder of the CentOS project.
Is Rocky Linux same as RHEL?
Rocky Linux is similar to Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) in many ways, as it is designed to be a drop-in replacement for RHEL and uses the same packaging, management, and update tools. It aims to be fully compatible with RHEL and to provide the same level of performance, stability, and security as RHEL.
Is Rocky Linux same as CentOS?
Rocky Linux and CentOS are similar in many ways, but Rocky Linux is a new project that aims to fill the gap left by the discontinuation of CentOS and it has some different goals and directions.
Is Rocky Linux good for servers?
Rocky Linux is designed for enterprise use and as a drop-in replacement for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), so it can be a good choice for servers. It aims to provide the same level of performance, stability, and security as RHEL and uses the same packaging, management, and update tools.
Does Rocky Linux have a desktop environment?
Yes, Rocky Linux comes with a desktop environment, it ships with the KDE Plasma desktop environment by default, but it also provides other options like GNOME and Xfce that can be installed via the package manager. The desktop environment is just one of the many packages that can be installed on Rocky Linux, so users can choose to install a different desktop environment or none at all, depending on their needs.
Can Rocky Linux be installed on a virtual machine?
Yes, Rocky 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 Rocky 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 Rocky Linux on VMWare, you can refer to our article: How to install a Linux Distro on VMware Workstation