AlmaLinux OS, an open-source and free enterprise Linux operating system, is developing a preview version of AlmaLinux OS 10, codenamed "Kitten". This preview version aims to provide the community with transparency and early engagement in the development process.
It includes significant changes such as re-enabling frame pointers, introducing an additional build using x86-64-v2 architecture, and reintroducing support for features like Secure Boot, SPICE, and KVM for IBM POWER.
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 will also continue to support more hardware devices and offer Firefox and Thunderbird as regular RPM packages.
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AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Preview: Built on CentOS Stream 10
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 is an exciting preview of the upcoming AlmaLinux OS 10. It provides a unique opportunity for the community to engage in the development process and influence the future of AlmaLinux. This "kitten" will eventually "grow up" to become the next AlmaLinux release.
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 is built from the source code of CentOS Stream 10, which will eventually become RHEL 10. While maintaining compatibility with RHEL, AlmaLinux has taken the opportunity to reintroduce and re-enable several features, and expand hardware support, offering a more comprehensive and community-driven operating system.
Key Features and Enhancements in AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10
- Re-enabled Frame Pointers: This feature allows system-wide real-time tracing and profiling, which can be used to optimise performance for any workload.
- x86-64-v2 Architecture Support: Recognising that not all users can upgrade their hardware, AlmaLinux Kitten 10 provides an additional build using the older x86-64-v2 architecture, alongside the default x86-64-v3 build. This offers continued support for older CPUs that do not have the necessary features for the newer architecture. It's important to note that third-party packages for RHEL 10 will be built for x86-64-v3, so users of the x86-64-v2 build may need to rebuild packages themselves.
- Secure Boot Support: AlmaLinux Kitten 10 supports Secure Boot for Intel/AMD and ARM platforms.
- SPICE Re-enabled: The Simple Protocol for Independent Computing Environments (SPICE), unsupported since RHEL 9.0, has been re-enabled in Kitten 10 for both server and client applications.
- KVM for IBM POWER: Also absent since RHEL 9.0, KVM support for IBM POWER is enabled in the AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 virtualisation stack.
- Extended Hardware Support: Building on the work done in previous releases, Kitten 10 continues to add support for devices that have been removed upstream.
- Firefox and Thunderbird Included: While CentOS Stream 10 and RHEL 10 have moved to using Flatpak versions of Firefox and Thunderbird, AlmaLinux has opted to continue shipping them as RPM packages in the system repositories to support desktop users.
- Regular Updates: Package updates will occur frequently, and new ISO images will be released every three months.
How AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Differs from CentOS Stream
- Purpose: CentOS Stream is a community product that serves as the upstream for RHEL. AlmaLinux OS Kitten is a developmental stepping stone towards the next stable AlmaLinux release.
- Features: AlmaLinux OS Kitten includes specific features and enhancements not found in CentOS Stream, such as re-enabled frame pointers, support for x86-64-v2, SPICE, KVM for IBM POWER, extended hardware support, and RPM packages for Firefox and Thunderbird.
Download AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10
Releasing AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 preview version fosters transparency and allows for early feedback from users and developers.
Download the AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 preview, test its features, and report any bugs or issues you encounter.
You can download AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 ISO images from the following mirror URLs:
The ISO images are located in the 10-kitten/isos/$arch/ directory. For example, the boot ISO for the x86_64 architecture can be downloaded with the following command:
$ wget https://kitten.repo.almalinux.org/10-kitten/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-Kitten-10-20241018.0-x86_64-boot.iso
Three types of installation ISO images are available:
- AlmaLinux-Kitten-10-20241018.0-x86_64-boot.iso: A single network installation CD image. This image downloads packages over the internet during installation.
- AlmaLinux-Kitten-10-20241018.0-x86_64-minimal.iso: A minimal self-containing DVD image. This image is suitable for offline installation but has a limited set of packages.
- AlmaLinux-Kitten-10-20241018.0-x86_64-dvd.iso: A full installation DVD image. This image contains most AlmaLinux OS packages.
After downloading the ISO image, write it to the USB drive using Etcher or Ventoy. There are also many other bootable creation tools exists. Check the following links and pick one that suits you.
Feedback can be provided through the AlmaLinux Bug Tracker, community chat, forums, and Reddit.
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