AlmaLinux
{{Short description|Linux distribution based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux}}
{{Infobox OS
| name = AlmaLinux
| logo = Logo of AlmaLinux.svg
| logo size =
| logo caption =
| logo alt =
| screenshot = File:AlmaLinux 10.0 desktop with GNOME 47.png
| caption = Screenshot of default desktop on AlmaLinux version 10.0, with GNOME 47.
| screenshot_alt =
| collapsible =
| developer = The AlmaLinux OS Foundation
| working state = Current
| source model = Open source
| released = {{Start date and age|2021|03|30|df=yes}}
| latest_release_version = {{multiple releases
| branch1 = 10:
| version1 = 10.0
| date1 = {{Start date and age|2025|05|27|df=yes|paren=yes}}
| branch2 = 9:
| version2 = 9.6
| date2 = {{Start date and age|2025|05|20|df=yes|paren=yes}}
| branch3 = 8:
| version3 = 8.10
| date3 = {{Start date and age|2024|05|28|df=yes|paren=yes}}
}}
| repo = {{URL|github.com/AlmaLinux}}
| marketing target = Servers, desktop computers, workstations, supercomputers
| programmed in = C (kernel)
| language =
| language count =
| language footnote =
| update model = DNF
| package manager = RPM
| supported platforms = x86-64 AArch64 ppc64le s390x
| kernel type = Monolithic (Linux kernel)
| userland = GNU
| ui = GNOME Shell, Bash
| license = GPLv2 and others
| preceded by = CentOS
| succeeded by =
| website = {{URL|almalinux.org}}
}}
AlmaLinux is a free and open source Linux distribution, developed by the AlmaLinux OS Foundation, a 501(c) organization, to provide a community-supported, production-grade enterprise operating system that is binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). The name of the distribution comes from the word "alma", meaning "soul" in Spanish and other Latin languages. It was chosen to be a homage to the Linux community.{{Cite web |title=FAQ {{!}} AlmaLinux Wiki |url=https://wiki.almalinux.org/FAQ.html |access-date=2021-06-20 |website=wiki.almalinux.org}}
The first stable release of AlmaLinux was published on March 30, 2021,{{Cite web |last=Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. |date=March 30, 2021 |title=CloudLinux Launches AlmaLinux, CentOS Linux clone |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/cloudlinux-launches-almalinux-centos-linux-clone/ |access-date=April 22, 2021 |publisher=ZDNet}} and will be supported until March 1, 2029.{{Cite web |title=Release Notes {{!}} AlmaLinux Wiki |url=https://wiki.almalinux.org/release-notes/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=wiki.almalinux.org}} AlmaLinux is built using publicly-viewable and reproducible methods using the AlmaLinux Build System (ALBS), which is a customized build system whose source code, like the distribution itself, is publicly distributed and licensed under open-source licenses.
History
On December 8, 2020, Red Hat announced that development of CentOS, a free-of-cost downstream fork of the commercial Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), would be discontinued and its official support would be cut short to focus on CentOS Stream, a stable LTS release without minor releases officially used by Red Hat to preview what is intended for inclusion in updates to RHEL.{{Cite web|title=FAQ/CentOSStream - CentOS Wiki|url=https://wiki.centos.org/FAQ/CentOSStream|access-date=2021-06-20|website=wiki.centos.org}}{{Cite web|last=Salter|first=Jim|date=2020-12-10|title=CentOS Linux is dead—and Red Hat says Stream is "not a replacement"|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/12/centos-shifts-from-red-hat-unbranded-to-red-hat-beta/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us}}{{
Cite web
| access-date=2021-07-27
| date=2021-01-14
| first=Steven J.
| language=fr
| last=Vaughan-Nichols
| title=CloudLinux prépare le remplacement de CentOS Linux : AlmaLinux
| url=https://www.zdnet.fr/actualites/cloudlinux-prepare-le-remplacement-de-centos-linux-almalinux-39916179.htm
| website=ZDNet France
}}
In response, CloudLinux – which maintains its own commercial Linux distribution, CloudLinux OS – announced that it would back AlmaLinux to provide a community-supported spiritual successor to CentOS Linux,{{Cite web |last=Seletskiy |first=Igor |title=AlmaLinux is born!! |url=https://blog.cloudlinux.com/almalinux-is-born |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=blog.cloudlinux.com |language=en}} aiming for binary-compatibility with the current version of RHEL.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-19 |title=FAQ {{!}} AlmaLinux Wiki |url=https://wiki.almalinux.org/FAQ.html |access-date=2024-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419015328/https://wiki.almalinux.org/FAQ.html |archive-date=2021-04-19 }} A beta version of AlmaLinux was first released on February 1, 2021,{{Cite web |date=2021-02-01 |title=CloudLinux Releases AlmaLinux Beta |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210201005763/en/CloudLinux-Releases-AlmaLinux-Beta |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}} and the first stable release of AlmaLinux was published on March 30, 2021. AlmaLinux 8.x will be supported until 2029.{{Cite web |last=AlmaLinux |date=January 26, 2021 |title=Frequently asked questions |url=https://wiki.almalinux.org/FAQ.html |access-date=April 22, 2021}} Numerous companies, such as ARM, AWS, Equinix, and Microsoft, also support AlmaLinux.{{Cite web |title=AlmaLinux: Everything you need to know about the Linux operating system |url=https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/server/configuration/almalinux-what-does-the-new-linux-distribution-offer/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=IONOS Digitalguide |date=9 May 2022 |language=en}} On March 30, 2021, the AlmaLinux OS Foundation was created as a 501(c) organization to take over AlmaLinux development and governance from CloudLinux, which has promised $1 million in annual funding to the project.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-30 |title=CloudLinux Establishes AlmaLinux Open Source Foundation, Launches First Stable Release |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210330005690/en/CloudLinux-Establishes-AlmaLinux-Open-Source-Foundation-Launches-First-Stable-Release |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}}
Following the release of AlmaLinux 8.6, on June 20, 2022, the AlmaLinux OS Foundation released the AlmaLinux Build System (ALBS).{{cite web |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/AlmaLinux-Build-System |title=RHEL-Based AlmaLinux Announces "ALBS" Access For Its Public Build System |author=Larabel, Michael |date=June 20, 2022 |access-date=May 18, 2023}}
In September 2022, the AlmaLinux OS Foundation held its first election,{{Cite web |title=First AlmaLinux Community Election Coming Soon! - AlmaLinux OS Blog |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/first-almalinux-os-foundation-election/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=AlmaLinux OS |date=9 August 2022 |language=en}} announcing a board of 7 community-elected members on September 19.{{Cite web |title=First AlmaLinux Board Election Announces 7 New Seats - AlmaLinux OS Blog |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/first-almalinux-board-election-announces-7-new-seats/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=AlmaLinux OS |date=20 September 2022 |language=en}} Shortly after the election, Igor Seletskiy, the CEO of CloudLinux and then chair of the board, announced he would be stepping down to allow AlmaLinux to continue on as a community-led operating system,{{Cite web |last=Seletskiy |first=Igor |title=Why I have decided to step down from the AlmaLinux OS Foundation Board |url=https://blog.cloudlinux.com/why-i-have-decided-to-step-down-from-the-almalinux-os-foundation-board |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=blog.cloudlinux.com |language=en}} and the board chose Benny Vasquez as the new chair.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-12 |title=Hi, I'm benny. How can I help? |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/hi-im-benny-how-can-i-help/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}}
On December 7, 2022, it was announced that CERN and Fermilab would provide AlmaLinux as the standard operating system for their experiments.{{Cite web |title=LISTSERV 16.5 - SCIENTIFIC-LINUX-USERS Archives |url=https://listserv.fnal.gov/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind2212&L=SCIENTIFIC-LINUX-USERS&P=78 |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=listserv.fnal.gov}}
3 weeks after June 21, 2023, Red Hat's announcement that new restrictions were put on their code,{{Cite web |title=Furthering the evolution of CentOS Stream |url=https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/furthering-evolution-centos-stream |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=www.redhat.com |language=en}} AlmaLinux replied in a blog post that "the AlmaLinux OS Foundation board today has decided to drop the aim to be 1:1 with RHEL. AlmaLinux OS will instead aim to be binary compatible with RHEL".{{Cite web |last=Vasquez |first=benny |date=2023-07-13 |title=The Future of AlmaLinux is Bright |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/future-of-almalinux/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713221709/https://almalinux.org/blog/future-of-almalinux/ |archive-date=2023-07-13 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=AlmaLinux OS - Forever-Free Enterprise-Grade Operating System}}
In September 2023 the Foundation announced they would expand the board,{{Cite web |date=2023-09-14 |title=AlmaLinux OS Foundation Election - 2023 |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/2023-09-14-election-2023/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}} and in December 2023 the AlmaLinux OS Foundation held their second election and announced Alejandro Iribarren of CERN and Jun Yoshida of Cybertrust Japan would be joining the board.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=Meet our two new board members! |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/2023-12-19-jun-and-alex-join-board/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}}
Project ELevate
In September 2021, the AlmaLinux project announced a tool called ELevate that would allow in-place upgrades between major versions of enterprise Linux distributions.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-19 |title=Announcing ELevate -- Migration between Major Versions (7.x to 8x) of RHEL Derivative Distributions |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/announcing-elevate-migration-between-major-versions-7x-to-8x-of-rhel-derivative-distributions/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}} "ELevate is developed in a distribution agnostic way and is built as a tool for the whole ecosystem, not just AlmaLinux. ELevate supports migrating to/from other distributions and is open for all to contribute to and enhance."{{Cite web |date=2021-10-19 |title=AlmaLinux OS - ELevate Your Distribution |url=http://almalinux.org/elevate |access-date=2024-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019141725/http://almalinux.org/elevate |archive-date=2021-10-19 }} In January 2024 they expanded the tool to include support for additional repositories,{{Cite web |date=2024-01-31 |title=ELevate Project Updates |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-01-31-elevate-updates/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}} and in April 2024 they added support for upgrading from CentOS 6 to CentOS 7, allowing some to upgrade in place from CentOS 6 through an enterprise Linux version 9 distribution of their choice.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Expanding ELevate support: CentOS 6 to CentOS 7 migrations |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-04-25-elevate-supports-centos-6-to-centos-7/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}}
Build system
File:AlmaLinux Build System Diagram (2022).jpg
The AlmaLinux Build System, commonly shortened to "ALBS", is the build system of AlmaLinux. It was first used to release version 8.6 (Sky Tiger), and has the capability of automating builds for the x86-64, AArch64, ppc64, and S390x architectures. The ALBS consists of five components: the Git Service, Release System, Sign Server, Test System, Build Node. Each component is governed by an overarching component known as the "Master Service", which is intended to be controlled via its own API.
= Git Service =
AlmaLinux's source code is directly sourced from Git code repositories of software packages that comprise Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Using a "listener" that monitors changes to existing repositories or additions of new repositories, the AlmaLinux Git Service pulls source code to its own publicly-available Gitea server instance. This public server's web interface also provides a view of build pipelines for each package. In addition, the service exposes an API that allows repositories to be directly consumed by the rest of ALBS.
= Build Node =
Corresponding with the Master Service, the Build Node's purpose is to perform the compilation of source code stored in the Git repositories to create RPM packages that can later be used as part of the distribution installation process. As artifacts of the build process, these pieces have a dedicated storage from which they can be further processed.
= Test System =
The AlmaLinux Test System (ALTS) tests RPM packages that exist as build artifacts. Using containerization technology, packages are given dedicated environments for which test suites can be exercised.
= Release System and Sign Server =
In order to ensure integrity, each software package that is released for the AlmaLinux distribution is digitally-signed using the Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) cryptographic algorithm. The Sign Server simply takes artifacts created from the Build Node, signs them, and returns them back to artifact storage. From there, the Release System can upload them to release repositories.
AlmaLinux OS Kitten and the AlmaLinux Build Pipeline
Prior to June 2023's source code change by Red Hat, AlmaLinux rebuilt RHEL using public sources provided by Red Hat. After AlmaLinux opted to shift their focus to remaining RHEL compatible, they first released bug and security flaw fixes ahead of Red Hat the next month with patches for Zenbleed.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-24 |title=Testers needed: Zenbleed patch for AlmaLinux 8 and 9 |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/zenbleed-patch-call-for-testing/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}} They started to differentiate themselves further from Red Hat with the AlmaLinux 8.10{{Cite web |date=2024-04-17 |title=Announcing AlmaLinux 8.10 Beta! |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-04-17-announcing-8-10-beta/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}} and 9.4 releases in May 2023 by re-enabling hardware support that was disabled in RHEL's equivalent releases.
In October 2024 the AlmaLinux project announced AlmaLinux OS Kitten.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title=Introducing AlmaLinux OS Kitten |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-10-22-introducing-almalinux-os-kitten/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}} "Earlier this year we started setting up infrastructure and the build pipeline for AlmaLinux OS 10, and started testing using CentOS Stream 10’s code. Based on this preparation work, we are excited to share that we have successfully built a preview of AlmaLinux OS 10 that we are calling AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10." Kitten 10's release also showed the additional features that AlmaLinux was adding for its community, including KVM support for IBM POWER and SPICE support.
In December AlmaLinux announced the AlmaLinux OS 10 beta, which included all of those features, but was different from Kitten, as it follows Red Hat's software versions, instead of CentOS Stream. "The astute AlmaLinux user will notice that some of the software versions in AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 are newer than what you will find in the AlmaLinux 10 beta release. That is because Kitten is based on CentOS Stream, and AlmaLinux 10 follows Red Hat 10’s release versions. It should not be anticipated that Kitten is or will be exactly what will be provided in the BETA version."{{Cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=AlmaLinux 10.0 Beta Now Available |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/2024-12-10-almalinux-10-0-beta-now-available/ |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=AlmaLinux OS |language=en}}
Releases
| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
! scope="col" | AlmaLinux version ! scope="col" | Codename ! scope="col" | Architectures ! scope="col" | RHEL base ! scope="col" | Kernel ! scope="col" style="min-width: 9em;" | AlmaLinux release date ! scope="col" style="min-width: 9em;" | RHEL release date ! scope="col" | Delay (days) |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |8.3}}
| Purple Manul | x86-64 | 8.3 | 4.18.0-240 | 2020-11-03{{Cite web |url=https://access.redhat.com/articles/3078 |title=Red Hat Enterprise Linux Release Dates |date=17 May 2023 |publisher=Red Hat}} | 147 / 110{{refn|group=note|AlmaLinux was announced {{Start date|2020|12|10|df=yes}}, first beta release was 53 days later.}} |
|---|
| scope="row" {{Version |o |8.4}}
| Electric Cheetah | x86-64, ARM64 | 8.4 | 4.18.0-305 | 8 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |8.5}}
| Arctic Sphynx | x86-64, ARM64, ppc64le | 8.5 | 4.18.0-348 | 2021-11-12,{{Cite web |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-os-85-stable-now-available/ |title=AlmaLinux OS 8.5 Stable Now Available |date=2021-11-12 |website=almalinux.org |access-date=2021-11-12}} 2022-02-25{{Cite web |url=https://almalinux.org/blog/almalinux-for-powerpc-85-stable-now-available/ |title=AlmaLinux for PowerPC 8.5 Stable Now Available! |date=2022-02-25 |website=almalinux.org |access-date=2022-03-11}} | 3 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |8.6}}
| Sky Tiger | rowspan="13" | x86-64, ARM64, ppc64le, s390x | 8.6 | 4.18.0-372 | 2 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |8.7}}
| Stone Smilodon | 8.7 | 4.18.0-425 | 1 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |8.8}}
| Sapphire Caracal | 8.8 | 4.18.0-477 | 1 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |8.9}}
| Midnight Oncilla | 8.9 | 4.18.0-513.5.1 | 7 |
| scope="row" {{Version |co |8.10}}
| Cerulean Leopard | 8.10 | 4.18.0-553 | 6 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |9.0}}
| Emerald Puma | 9.0 | 5.14.0-70.13.1 | 9 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |9.1}}
| Lime Lynx | 9.1 | 5.14.0-162.6.1 | 2 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |9.2}}
| Turquoise Kodkod | 9.2 | 5.14.0-284.11.1 | 0 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |9.3}}
| Shamrock Pampas Cat | 9.3 | 5.14.0-362.8.1 | 6 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |9.4}}
| Seafoam Ocelot | 9.4 | 5.14.0-427.13.1 | 6 |
| scope="row" {{Version |o |9.5}}
| Teal Serval | 9.5 | 5.14.0-503.11.1 | 5 |
| scope="row" {{Version |co |9.6}}
| Sage Margay | 9.6 | 5.14.0-570.12.1 | 0 |
| scope="row" {{Version |c |10.0}}
| Purple Lion | 10.0 | 6.12.0-55.9.1 | 14 |
| colspan="8" | {{Version |l |show=111100}} |
See also
- Fedora Linux and CentOS Stream, the upstream projects from which AlmaLinux descends
- Rocky Linux, with development coordinated by the public benefit corporation, The Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF)
- Oracle Linux
References
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|group=note}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://almalinux.org}}
{{commons category}}
{{Fedora Linux derivatives}}
{{Linux distributions}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Enterprise Linux distributions